What is a Monkey?

monkey

A monkey is a primate of the Haplorrhini suborder and simian infraorder, and a member of the family Hominidae. Monkeys are highly intelligent animals that often live in social groups, and they can be found in a variety of habitats. Most monkeys are arboreal, but some can be found on the ground as well.

Most monkeys are omnivores, eating both plants and animals. In captivity, monkeys should be offered a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts. This is a very important part of their health and must be a regular practice for them.

In the wild, monkeys have to hunt and search for their food and that is why they are such active animals. To help keep monkeys busy in captivity, enrichment is very important. For example, putting their favorite food in a box that they have to open before they can eat it will give them much needed exercise and stimulation. Another great enrichment tool is a dog kong. They are available at any pet store and you can fill them with a lot of different foods and treats.

Monkeys should also be fed a healthy, low fat diet. That means no extra oils (even a little bit of olive oil is not good for them), no added sugars and no junk food (like cookies, ice cream, pizza and fast food). They need to be kept at a healthy weight, so portioning their food is important.