What is a Monkey?

monkey

A monkey is any of over 200 species of tailed primate (see ape) that differ from lemurs, tarsiers, and lorises in having a tail. Monkeys are most commonly found in tropical forests where they move on all four limbs as they search for vegetation, birds’ eggs, smaller animals, and insects to eat.

Old World monkeys are arboreal and have tails that may be long or short but are never prehensile. They are found in S Asia, with a few species as far north as Japan and N China, and throughout Africa except the deserts.

New World monkeys are primarily rainforest dwellers, with populations in tropical Central and South America. The New World monkeys are divided into two families, Callitrichidae (marmosets) and Cebidae (capuchins, titis, howlers, and squirrel monkeys).

Most monkeys have large brains and are known for their inquisitiveness and intelligence. They are diurnal, which means they are active during the day and sleep at night.

Some New World monkeys have a prehensile tail that allows them to hang from branches as they move through trees and vines. This enables them to swing, jump, and climb.

Monkeys are often seen in movies, TV, and books as clever and mischievous characters. However, the use of these wild animals as domestic pets has been shown to cause them stress and anxiety. They are also often trained to perform unnatural and painful tasks as a form of entertainment, which can lead to behavioral problems in their later years.