Monkeys

monkeys

Monkeys are primate mammals from the Haplorhini suborder and simian infraorder. They include both Old World and New World monkeys, as well as apes such as the great apes and humans. Monkeys are arboreal, living mostly in trees but some species, such as baboons, spend their time on the ground. Most are highly intelligent, and like other primates they can show emotions such as love, anger, sadness, and grief.

Most monkeys have prehensile tails that they can grip or hold onto, and some even use them to help balance themselves and move around. They can also cling and leap to move through the trees. They are often found in tropical rainforests, but some, such as lion-tailed macaques, live in rocky mountains and deserts.

Some species of monkey have specialized anatomy to exploit different foods. Howler monkeys, for example, have long digestive tracts that allow them to better absorb the nutrient-rich leaves they eat. Colobus monkeys have multi-chambered stomachs that carry bacteria to ferment and digest leaf matter as a part of their diet. Geladas are the only Old World monkey that grazes on grass as a major part of their diet.

Researchers are still trying to determine whether monkeys’ natural diets affect how long they can live. Earlier studies have shown that some Old World monkeys that started eating 30 percent fewer calories than normal lived longer than control animals that didn’t change their diets. However, the researchers who ran the study at the University of Wisconsin and National Institute on Aging in Maryland didn’t report any evidence that those monkeys acted famished or were any healthier than their counterparts.