The Facts About Monkeys

monkeys

Despite their cute looks, monkeys are wild animals that can be dangerous if cornered or provoked. In the wild, they live in a variety of climates and are active during the day; some spend their lives in trees while others graze on the ground. Their diets vary according to species. Monkeys are highly social and form close family bonds, which makes them fascinating to observe. They are intelligent, curious and have a great sense of humor, which is reflected in their language.

Some people choose to keep monkeys as pets, but this is not without risk. Monkeys are susceptible to numerous health issues, can transmit zoonotic diseases and require specialized nutrition. Additionally, they can cause damage to property and may affect homeowner insurance coverage. Moreover, many states have specific enclosure requirements and permit requirements that must be met before acquiring a monkey as a pet.

Most New World monkeys are diurnal, highly social and territorial. They usually live in troops that consist of several females with young and either a single male (as in hamadryas baboons, mandrills, most guenons, and langurs) or multiple males sharing a territory (as in capuchins, mangabeys and cynomolgus). Female monkeys nurse their babies and have menstrual cycles, and males leave their troop on reaching maturity to find new ones to join.

The word monkey may also be used colloquially to refer to apes, particularly chimpanzees and gibbons. This usage is not endorsed by the National Association of Primate Breeders and Trainers, which states that “monkey” should only be used to describe primates, not apes.