Facts About Monkeys

Monkeys are intelligent and inquisitive primates of the Haplorrhini suborder and simian infraorder, which includes Old World monkeys and New World monkeys (but excludes apes, which belong to the Apes). They have large brains that are well-developed and inquisitive by nature. This, combined with the freeing of their hands and good vision, allows them a wide range of activities. Monkeys are also quite creative, and can even make and use tools to solve problems. They aren’t as skilled at problem-solving and learning from one another as the great apes, though.

Many types of monkeys live in troops, which are groups that travel together to find food, socialize, and mate. These groups can number from a few individuals to thousands of monkeys. The members of a troop share mutual grooming as a way to show affection and strengthen the bonds within the group. Females typically have one baby at a time, but some species like marmosets and tamarins often produce twins or triplets. In addition to family units, unattached adult males sometimes form their own groups called harems.

Some kinds of monkeys can tell that their companions are feeling sad, angry, or fearful just by looking at them. They can also bare their teeth, which may look similar to a human smile. However, this gesture actually signifies aggression or fear, according to a 2019 study published in Frontiers in Psychology. Monkeys can also sneeze if raindrops enter their nostrils, which happens frequently in Myanmar.