The Differences Between Monkeys and Humans

monkey

Monkeys are a highly intelligent suborder of primates called Haplorhines. They are fun to watch and can be a little naughty too! Monkeys are often seen as tricksters but they can also be a bit of pests especially in areas where they raid crops.

Despite their similar anatomy and genetics, monkeys are far more different from humans than they are alike. Their differences include different social structures, languages, senses of self-awareness, and even different abilities to create complex technologies. This wide disparity makes it hard to draw conclusions about human physiology, health, or behavior from studies of monkeys, however, there are some general similarities.

Most monkeys live in groups, or troops, that travel together during the day to find food. These groups can vary in size from a few individuals to thousands. Within these huge troops, some species of monkeys form monogamous, or pair-bonded, family units consisting of a male and female breeding pair and their offspring. Others, such as titi monkeys from South America and some marmosets, live in multimale, or polygamous, groups. In addition, unattached adult males sometimes establish their own troop. Monkeys strengthen their bonds by daily mutual grooming.

All monkeys are arboreal (living in trees), although some, such as baboons, spend more time on the ground. Their prehensile tails come in handy for holding on while they collect their food, which can include flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds, nuts, berries, insects, birds’ eggs, spiders, and small mammals. In addition to their mouths, some monkeys use their hands for eating. They fill their cheek pouches with these items, and then chew and swallow them. Some monkeys, such as colobus monkeys and langurs, have chambered stomachs that allow them to digest leaves. They may also eat a variety of meat.