Monkeys are intelligent animals that solve problems and live in groups. A monkey group commonly includes several related females and their young, plus one or more males. Monkeys use facial expressions, body movements, and various noises to communicate with each other. Squirrel monkeys, for example, make more than 25 different calls. They can sound like barks, purrs, screams, peeps, and squawks. The deep howls of howler monkeys are sometimes heard 2 to 3 miles (3 to 5 kilometers) away. Like most primates, most monkeys are omnivorous and eat a variety of plants. Some eat fruits, seeds, flowers, roots, shoots, and leaves. Others eat rodents, birds, and insects.
Most types of monkey are endangered, with some species nearing extinction. Their numbers have declined due to habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting for meat and bushmeat, and capture for the pet trade and in laboratories. Monkeys are prone to disease and lead short lives in captivity.
Many types of monkey are important in medical research. They have helped scientists advance polio vaccines, life support systems for premature babies, and treatments for diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and Parkinson’s. Scientists also use monkeys to study reproduction, the brain, and foetal development. Monkeys used in research must be carefully sourced and subjected to stricter regulations. Some monkeys that are used in neurological research require cranial implants (also known as head posts)—small plates placed in the skull under anaesthetic.
Some monkeys, such as the Barbary ape, are kept in zoos and are widely used in laboratory research. Others are caught in the wild for research and a few species are bred for fur and food production. In general, experiments involving monkeys should only be conducted when they cannot be done on other species or using human volunteers.