Monkeys are a large group of animals with long legs and two arms. Most monkeys live in tropical forests and use all four limbs to walk and run. They are active during the day, searching for food and other items in trees and foraging for insects, birds’ eggs, and small animals.
Their bodies are covered with long hair and a thick coat of fur. Some types have bare areas of skin on their faces and buttocks, particularly male mandrills.
They use all four limbs to walk and move quickly, and their hands and feet are good for grasping tree branches. They can climb to great heights and leap up to 15 meters (50 feet) in the air.
Some species have cheek pouches that contain food, such as baboons, macaques, and guenons. Others, such as cotton-topped tamarins, have a fluffy white crest on top of their head.
When a monkey smiles, it usually pulls the lip up to show the teeth. It also jerks the head and shoulders forward to emphasize its facial expression.
A monkey can grow to maturity within a few years, on average. Females usually mate and give birth to a baby monkey after about a year of gestation.
Many types of monkey are endangered and are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and hunting for their meat or fur. The illegal pet trade and the logging, mining, and agriculture industries also contribute to the decline of many species.