Facts About Monkeys

Monkeys are fascinating creatures, endlessly entertaining and often incredibly affectionate. But monkeys also require a lot of time, work and dedication from their human caregivers. It is important to do your research before considering a monkey for a pet, and find a reputable breeder that can answer your questions about the animal’s history.

Most monkeys are frugivores, consuming fruits such as berries, figs, bananas and mangos. They also consume seeds, twigs and leaves. In the wild, many monkey species are omnivorous and will also eat insects, lizards, eggs and flowers. Some monkeys have special stomachs that enable them to better digest the leaves and other parts of plants.

In the wild, monkeys are diurnal and social. They spend much of their waking hours searching for food, urinating to mark their territory and hanging out in trees. Monkeys are also very creative and can figure out ways to get at new foods such as sweet potatoes and candy wrapped in paper. They will share these innovations with their troops, enabling them to eat these foods that are otherwise unavailable in their habitats.

Monkeys are smart animals and can be taught a wide variety of tricks. They are very adept at using tools, such as nails and twigs to scratch or open objects, and can solve complex puzzle problems. They are even able to use joysticks to perform video tasks (Washburn and Rumbaugh 1992). They can work on a task without the need for food rewards, once they become skilled at it.