Facts About Monkeys

monkeys

Monkeys are a group of primates in the Haplorrhini suborder, part of the simian family. They are found in the Old World and New World, but are not apes or humans. They have varied relationships with humans, from being kept as pets to being used in research and even as part of space missions.

Most monkeys are social creatures, living together in a group that is called a troop. Many troops have male and female members. A few monkeys, like the inquisitive squirrel monkey and the acrobatic capuchin, have endeared themselves to humans with their antics and their ability to learn. Other species, such as the elusive marmosets and tufted marmosets and the noisy howler and acrobatic spider monkeys, live in a more wild setting.

These intelligent creatures can be quick to anger and will fight if threatened, with biting often the weapon of choice. They also show a range of other expressions, from smiling (or pulling the lip up to expose their 32 teeth) to head bobbing and yawning to jerking their heads and shoulders forward in a display of aggression and anger. Cotton-topped tamarins, meanwhile, raise and lower a crest of fluffy white hair on their head to emphasize facial expressions.

Monkeys are found throughout the world and can be extremely diverse, from tiny Old World baboons to New World marmosets and tufted marmosets that can stand as tall as humans. They are mostly omnivorous, eating a variety of nuts, fruits, leaves, flowers, vegetables, bark, roots, rodents and invertebrates. Some monkeys are expert climbers, while others are skilled swimmers.