Monkeys at the TNPRC

monkey

Monkeys are the most common primates in captivity, and the TNPRC houses a large variety of monkey species. They are omnivorous and feed on plants, flowers, fruits, nuts, leaves, seeds and insects, as well as birds’ eggs, lizards, small mammals and reptiles. Most of our monkeys are avid swimmers and can be seen interacting with the water in our pools and sprinkler systems. In the wild, cynomolgus macaques will even drop out of trees into the water!

There are 264 known species of monkey in the world. They are found in the forests and savannas of Asia, Africa, Central and South America and the Amazon region, as well as in the mountains of Peru and Japan.

Many monkeys are social animals and live in troops that can number in the thousands. A monogamous male and female breeding pair is the basis of most troop structures, although some species such as titi monkeys and marmosets operate in smaller groups called harems. Some monkeys express affection by grooming other members of the troop. Grooming also acts as a way to make up after fighting or to mark territory.

Monkeys are very intelligent, and have an amazing memory and complex vocal systems. They are great subjects for behavioral and cognitive studies, as they can follow commands and learn new tasks quickly. Monkeys’ prehensile tails, which help them to grip branches and vines as they climb, are very important for balance. Many species use their tails as a tool to eat and play with, as they can hold things in their mouths like nuts and seeds. Many monkeys, such as our rhesus macaques, have cheek pouches which they fill with food until they find a suitable place to eat it. This is why their faces sometimes look swollen!