Monkey (animal), any of about 160 species of primates that have grasping hands, forward-facing eyes, and highly developed brains. Most monkeys also have tails, a characteristic that distinguishes them from their larger primate cousins, the apes. Monkeys are highly skilled climbers, and most spend much of their lives in trees. Some have prehensile tails—that is, tails capable of grasping—that they can use as a fifth limb while foraging for food or climbing.
Zoologists classify monkeys into three distinct families: marmosets, Capuchin-like monkeys, and Old World monkeys. Marmosets and Capuchin-like monkeys are found only in Central and South America and are known collectively as New World monkeys. Marmosets are dainty animals with luxurious fur, which is sometimes strikingly colored
Old World monkeys include guenons, mangabeys, colobus monkeys, macaques, langurs, and baboons. Compared to New World monkeys, their noses are narrower and have downward-opening nostrils. Old World monkeys do not have prehensile tails; instead, most use their tails simply for balance
PREDATORS
The predators of Capuchin-like monkeys are humans and birds of prey. The predators of marmosets include small cats, birds of prey, and snakes. The predators of macaques include large cats, such as leopards, tigers, and panthers, and large snakes, such as pythons. The predators of langurs and colobus monkeys include large cats, humans, and some birds of prey. The biggest threat to all monkeys, however, is the loss of habitat.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Colobus Monkey
Colobus MonkeyThe colobus monkey, found only in Africa, eats large amounts of leaves and has a stomach with three or four subcompartments to aid digestion. In addition to being hunted by humans for its fur, one of its main enemies is the chimpanzee. Colobus monkeys are unusual in that all species of this group lack thumbs. Nevertheless, they are agile climbers.
All monkeys share physical features that are linked to their tree-climbing lifestyle. Foremost among these are forward-facing eyes, which enable monkeys to precisely gauge distances as they move about above the ground. Monkeys' hands and feet are also adapted for climbing. Their fingers and toes are very flexible, and their palms and soles—like those of humans—are usually covered in hairless nonslip skin. Most monkeys have flat nails, but the marmosets have claws, a feature they share with some primitive primates.
HABITAT
Dense Rain Forest
Dense Rain ForestMost of the world’s monkeys live in tropical and subtropical forests. In this dense rain forest on the island of Borneo in eastern Asia, monkeys share their habitat with many other wild animals, including lions and tigers.
Monkeys are restricted to South and Central America, Africa, and the southern parts of Asia. Most monkeys live in the forests of the tropics and subtropics, where warm temperatures ensure a year-round supply of food. In rain forests, where food is abundant, monkeys often stay in the same area all year, but in drier habitats, they have to range further afield, possibly traveling more than 18 km (10 mi) a day.