Facts About Monkeys

Monkeys are primates that belong to the Haplorrhini suborder and the simian infraorder Similformes. They are a large family of mammals, whose 264 species are divided into two main groups: monkeys of the Old World and monkeys of the New World (excluding apes).

Newborn baby monkeys come with a host of cognitive abilities that make them uniquely capable of learning language and behaviors from an early age. These abilities help them adapt to their environment and establish meaningful relationships with other monkeys.

They are highly social animals that live in small groups, often called troops, consisting of a single male and other monkeys. They form close, friendly bonds with each other and display affection through grooming and support during conflicts.

Most monkeys spend their time in the tropical rainforests of Asia, Africa and Central and South America. Geladas, golden monkeys and Japanese macaques inhabit mountain ranges, while baboons are found in open woodland areas.

These wild species are threatened with extinction by habitat loss and degradation as their natural home is converted to farmland. Sadly, many monkeys are also killed or captured and sold into the primate pet trade to satisfy human demand for them.

Research and biomedical research on nonhuman primates has been a growing concern in recent years, due to the risks to people and other animals involved in experiments with these species. In 2015, Harvard University closed its national primate research center and NIH ended its support of invasive chimpanzee studies.