Monkey Facts

monkey

Monkeys can use their hands to grasp branches and swing from one tree to another. They can also rest on the ground. Many monkeys have pouches for collecting food. Monkeys are found all over the world in forest regions and savannahs. They eat flowers, fruits, nuts, leaves, seeds, spiders, birds’ eggs, insects and meat.

Monkeys are very social and live in groups called troops, which can number from a few to thousands. They often travel together by day to find food and are good seed dispersers. Most monkeys are monogamous and have close family bonds. However, some monkey species, such as the gray titi, live in small, non-family units consisting of parents and their offspring.

Researchers have studied monkeys to learn how they solve problems and how they communicate with each other. They have found that monkeys can learn from each other, as well as from their environment and by following what experienced animals do. They also use their facial expressions to express emotions and communicate with other members of the group, such as happiness, sadness, anger, jealousy, affection and fear.

In the wild, most monkeys are endangered by poachers and humans. The Centers for Disease Control prohibits monkeys from being imported into the United States for the pet trade, but they still are trapped in Africa, Asia and Central and South America by people seeking exotic pets. Their resemblance to people has also led to them being used in laboratory experiments.