Primates of the Americas, Africa and Asia, split into New World and Old World monkeys. They range from the pygmy marmoset, at about 100 g, to the male mandrill, at up to 36 kg.
This entry covers a whole group, so the answers describe a typical member. For a specific one, see Baboon, Mandrill, Macaque, Vervet monkey, Proboscis monkey, Capuchin monkey, Howler monkey, Spider monkey, Squirrel monkey, Marmoset, Tamarin.
Quick answers
What is it?Mammal
Carnivore?Omnivore
Dangerous?Can be
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Daytime
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?No
Do people eat it?In places
Monkeys are eaten as bushmeat in parts of Africa, and monkey brains are eaten as a delicacy in parts of South Asia, Africa and China.
At a glance
Found inAfrica, Asia, South America, Central America
HabitatRainforest, Forest, Grassland
ColoursBrown, Grey
SizeSmall
Legs4
Covered inFur
Lives introops
Lives for15–25 years
Can swim
In the wild
- Where it lives
- Central and South America (New World monkeys), and Africa and Asia (Old World monkeys). Most live in trees; some, like baboons, live on the ground.
- What it eats
- Varies by species: fruit, leaves, seeds, nuts, flowers, eggs and small animals such as insects and spiders.
Did you know
Apes have no tail, but a few monkeys don't either.
Often confused with
- Gibbon
A gibbon is a small ape, not a monkey. Like all apes it has no tail, and it swings arm over arm between branches.
Sources
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