Monkeys can be great companions, but the animals also need a full commitment from their owners. They need a large and secure enclosure, and they must have a variety of toys and exercise equipment to keep them mentally stimulated. They can also be destructive and need to be watched constantly to prevent them from hurting themselves or others.
Most monkeys are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. The exception is the owl monkey, which is active at night and is called a night monkey. Monkeys have flexible feet that let them grasp tree branches. They also have bare areas of skin on their faces and buttocks, which make them easy to recognize. Some monkeys have long, curved tails that help them climb trees or escape predators.
In the wild, most monkeys are omnivorous and eat nuts, fruits, leaves, flowers, vegetables, bark, roots, seeds, insects, birds’ eggs, spiders, and small mammals. Many species are endangered due to habitat loss or destruction, live capture for the global pet trade, and hunting for bushmeat and traditional medicines.
In the lab, researchers use monkeys to study diseases such as polio and HIV/AIDS, to test new vaccines and medicines, and to understand how the human brain works. The most commonly used research monkeys are macaques and marmosets. Some monkeys, such as baboons and mandrills, are also used in studies on reproduction, child development, and human behavior. Monkeys are important for medical and scientific advances, but their use must be carefully regulated.