Wild Animals A-Z

Mammals
Mammals � Wild Animals A-Z �

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Monkey

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Trees and Tropics:�Monkeys can be found in rain forests across the tropics. The place where they are most comfortable is the forest canopy. Their long arms and even longer legs propel them through the branches and their tails (sometimes considered a "fifth limb") help with mobility and grasping.

All Shapes and Sizes: Monkeys come in all shapes, colors and sizes, and are divided into two groups. Old World monkeys include large species such as baboons, while New World monkeys are smaller. The two groups also organize themselves into different types of social groups.

Social Species: New World monkeys have a more varied social structure between species. Marmosets usually live in groups consisting of a monogamous pair and offspring. Squirrel monkeys live in very large groups�—�sometimes over 100 individuals�—�comprised mostly of females and only a few males. Old World monkeys either live in all-female groups with one dominant male or in multi-male troops. Whatever the social setup, monkeys form close bonds with their troop mates and grooming is the glue that holds a group together.

Many, Many Monkeys: There are 264 species of monkey. Old World monkeys (135 species) are more closely related to apes than they are to New World monkeys (129 species).

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Have you heard? Ring-tailed is the new black.

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MORE MONKEY

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DID YOU KNOW?

It's in the Nose: The quickest way to distinguish between a New World and Old World monkey is the nose. New World monkeys have a flat nose with side-facing nostrils; Old World monkeys have a narrow nose with downard-facing nostrils.

Europe's Monkey: Only one free-ranging population of Old World monkey remains outside of Africa and Asia: the Barbary macaques of Gibraltar. It's unclear whether they were introduced as pets by the Moors or are a remnant of populations that had spread throughout Europe up to 5.5 million years ago.

Keep it Down: The loudest monkey of them all is the howler monkey. Its cries can be heard up to three miles away.

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How Stuff Works

Do Japanese Monkeys Season Their Food?
Japanese macaques are very particular eaters, often washing their food before eating. But do they also add seasoning? Find out at HowStuffWorks.com.

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