Monkeys are clever, voracious eaters whose diets range from yummy tropical fruits and crunchy bugs to just about anything else they can get their hands on. This diversity is one of the reasons we admire them so much!
Some monkeys, like howler and patas monkeys from Africa and the colobus monkeys from South America, live in monogamous male-and-female breeding pairs; others, such as capuchin and baboons, form more expansive groups. They may also bond with each other through grooming behaviors.
Many monkeys have evolved brains that help them weigh expected risk against expected reward in a given situation, such as climbing to reach a delicious mango at the top of a tree. If cortisol surges, a primate may withdraw; if dopamine does, a monkey may forge ahead. Often, a monkey’s decision will be based on how many other monkeys are attracted to that same mango or how high the branches can support them.
In addition to their tasty fruits, monkeys eat insects and birds’ eggs and nests to get essential vitamins and minerals. They can find these critters by searching the ground, under rocks, and in trees. They can even use their long tails to grab insects on or near the ground, and some species of monkey, such as the spider monkey, have specialized tongues for sucking up insects from narrow gaps.
In the wild, monkeys can be found in all types of habitats, from the tropical rainforests of Asia and Africa to savannas and rocky hillsides. They’re also found living in zoos and in homes with humans, as companion animals. Monkeys who live with people may assist them in a variety of ways, from turning pages or pushing buttons on appliances and computers to scratching itches or repositioning their wheelchairs.