Facts About Monkeys

Monkeys are highly intelligent mammals that eat leaves, fruit, bark, seeds, insects, bird eggs and even small animals. They are the most diverse group of primates, and they live in tropical rainforests (and some deserts).

Most monkeys have long arms that let them swing from tree to tree with incredible speed. Their prehensile tails also help them hold onto branches while they munch on nuts, fruits, flowers and other plant parts.

Some species, like colobus monkeys and langurs, are herbivores that eat only leaves. They have specialized stomachs that allow them to ferment and digest leaves. Others, like baboons and geladas, eat both leaves and meat.

Wild monkeys often live in groups called troops. A troop can include a few individuals to thousands. Some monkeys are monogamous, with adult males and females staying together. Unattached adult males, called bachelors, sometimes join smaller groups of monkeys that are led by a single female.

Monkeys use vocalizations to communicate with one another and to express emotion, especially fear, anger, or aggression. They also groom each other to keep their fur clean and to make up after fights. Grooming helps monkeys to get rid of parasites that can infest their bodies, and it’s a way to show affection and build trust among troop members.

Most monkeys don’t need to drink water because the fruits, leaves and other plant parts they eat are full of water. But if they must, they use their hands to create cups or take advantage of natural water sources like rivers and streams. They may also find puddles of water on the ground and lap it up with their tongues.