Facts About Monkeys

monkeys

Monkeys are found throughout the world in diverse habitats. They are one of the smallest groups in the order simiiformes, which also includes apes and humans. They have a long body with two arms and two legs, and a coat of hair or fur. They have a wide range of vocalizations, including barks, grunts, squeaks, hoots, wails and moans. They use facial expressions and body movements to communicate with their troop members. They look down or away to avoid threatening others, as staring could lead to fights.

In the wild, monkeys are omnivores and eat both plants and animals. However, most monkey species have diets that tilt heavily toward plant matter, with animal proteins making up just 5% of their calories. For example, New World monkeys’ diets are about 95% plant and 5% invertebrates like insects and nails. Great apes are even more tilted toward plant food, with meat and other animal products making up only 6% of their meals.

Most monkeys live in a group, called a troop. Troops usually have a dominant male, and females share the care of young monkeys. Females who do not mate with a male in their troop are called virgins.

Most monkeys are very intelligent creatures, and they often have a playful side. They also use their sense of touch to explore and learn about their environment, especially in the trees. They are good at solving problems and finding solutions. They are able to build and use tools to help them get the food they need. In addition, they have long digestive tracts to make it easier for them to digest leaves and other tough foods.