Monkey is a type of primate that is intelligent and demonstrates complex social behaviors. These animals live in groups called troops, and they typically travel together by day to find food. The size of a troop can range from a few individuals to thousands. Within large troops, monkeys often form smaller family units consisting of a female and her offspring. The gray titi monkey, for example, is monogamous and lives in small family units that are bonded through daily grooming. Unattached adult males, known as bachelors, sometimes form their own groups.
Most monkeys are arboreal, spending most of their time in the trees. They move between branches using a combination of clinging and leaping, and they use their tails to balance themselves. The majority of monkeys have prehensile tails, meaning they can grasp items. They also have five digits on their hands and feet, with the thumb and big toe being divergent.
A monkey’s body language can reveal what it is thinking or feeling. For instance, a monkey’s smile may look like a human’s, but it can also mean fear or aggression, Live Science reported in 2019. Monkeys communicate with scents and calls, including a series of grunts called vocalizations.
Monkeys are a keystone species that contribute to the health of their rainforest habitats. They help to disperse seeds and pollinate plants. They are also important scavengers, hunting insects and rodents for food. However, anthropogenic factors such as forest clearance and fragmentation, the capture of animals for the pet trade, and the killing of monkeys for bushmeat and traditional medicine are major threats to these species.