What is a Monkey?

monkey

Monkey is a common name for a variety of primates. In general, a monkey is any primate belonging to the Haplorrhini suborder and the Simian infraorder (Old World monkeys and New World monkeys, except for apes and humans). Most monkeys live together in social groups called troops that include related females and their offspring and one or more males. These groups hunt and defend food sources, care for young, and keep watch for predators. Monkeys communicate in a wide range of ways, including visual cues and vocal calls. The emperor tamarin’s long tongue is an example of a visual signal, while the deep howl of a howler monkey can be heard up to 3 miles away.

Like people, monkeys are very intelligent animals. They can learn to use tools and can solve complex problems, although they lack the cognitive sophistication of great apes. Many monkeys have opposable thumbs, which allows them to grasp branches and other objects with greater dexterity. They also have flexible prehensile tails, which allow them to climb and navigate trees, and can even support their weight on the ground.

In the wild, most monkeys live in trees. Some species are at high risk of extinction due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching for bushmeat and traditional medicines, and live capture for the global pet trade. Others face declines for other reasons, such as disease, competition with domesticated pets, and human activities that disrupt their natural habitats.