The Brain of a Monkey

Monkeys are a diverse group of mammals (also called simians). They include most of the world’s primates, and there are many different species with unique adaptations and lifestyles.

In the wild, monkeys usually live in groups called troops. A troop can be made up of a few individuals to thousands. Within large groups, the males often form harems, where they live with several females and their offspring. Unattached males usually live in all-male groups, where they compete with other males to win access to females for mating.

Most monkeys are omnivorous, eating both plants and insects. Their diets depend on the availability of food in their natural habitat. For instance, a gelada monkey eats grass but also goes after small animals like frogs and birds. Some monkeys, like capuchins, have special teeth and digestive tracts to help them chew and digest leaves.

Monkeys use their brain to explore the world around them. When a monkey encounters something new, it triggers a chemical in its brain called dopamine. This tells the monkey that this new thing meets its needs, and it should seek out more of that thing.

Scientists study monkeys to learn more about how the human brain works and what causes disease in humans. Monkeys are used in medical research to develop vaccines, treatment of HIV and AIDS, and other health advances. They are also a vital part of studies into reproduction, pregnancy and development in the womb. Most of the research monkeys we use are macaques and marmosets. Recently, however, scientists have been able to replace the need for laboratory monkeys by using transcranial magnetic stimulation with human volunteers.