Monkeys are omnivores and frugivores. They consume a wide variety of fruit, flowers, seeds, nuts, leaves, insects and lizards and will even eat small mammals to get the protein they need. They cannot synthesize vitamin C so they must eat it in their diet. They will also travel to other habitats to find food if it is not available in their current one.
They are good climbers and live primarily in tropical forests. The monkeys that live in Central and South America are called New World monkeys while those in Africa, Asia and elsewhere are known as Old World monkeys. Monkeys are very social and use vocalizations as well as facial expressions to communicate. They will bare their teeth at humans, for example, which looks like a smile but can actually be a sign of aggression or fear, Live Science reports.
Monkeys have prehensile tails, which come in handy for holding onto branches and trees while they eat. They fill their cheek pouches with leaves, fruits, flowers, insects and bird eggs while they forage for food during the day. Old World monkeys also have chambered stomachs that allow them to digest plant matter.
In captivity, it is important to balance a monkeys diet as they tend to eat the same things all day long and can easily become overweight. It is also a good idea to give them various foods that will challenge them such as twigs, dry bark and grass. It can also be fun to put their favorite foods in containers that they have to open to access them. This will keep them busy and prevent boredom.