Monkeys are small, hairy primates with long tails and grasping hands. They are most famous for their tree-swinging leaps, which put human acrobats to shame! But they also spend a lot of time on the ground, using their tails for balance. Monkeys with prehensile tails (tails that can grip and hold) use them to help them climb, while monkeys without them walk on all fours like humans do. They also use their arms to swing between branches.
Some species of monkeys live in tropical rainforests, while others live in savannas and other habitats. Old World monkeys fill their large cheek pouches with a wide variety of fruits, nuts, leaves, vegetables, flowers, rodents, insects, birds’ eggs, and even berries and bark. They are omnivorous, but many monkeys depend on their prehensile tails for grabbing food from the trees or ground.
Besides living in the wild, some monkeys have close relationships with humans. Some are kept as pets, some are used in research labs, and a few—like the chimp Washoe—are trained to serve people with disabilities. They can perform a variety of tasks, such as turning pages of books and magazines or scratching itchy hives.
A monkey helper can be a lifesaver for a disabled person. For example, a woman with multiple sclerosis who had trouble moving laundry from the washer to the dryer hired a trained capuchin monkey to do the job. A monkey helper can be an expensive investment, and it is important to find an organization that trains their animals for the safety of the recipient. The animal also needs a large, secure enclosure that meets strict state laws and requires special permits.