Monkeys
Monkeys are primates, a type of mammal. Mammals produce milk, breathe air, and give birth to live young. Apes and humans are also primates.
All primates walk on flat feet, not toes. Most have fingers, not claws. Their thumbs are separated from their other fingers, so they can hold things well. Primates also have large brains. They can be quite smart.
Apes and monkeys are not the same. Apes are larger than monkeys. Gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans are apes. Monkeys are smaller. They are about the size of a cat or dog. Most monkeys have tails and live in trees. There are more than 130 kinds of monkeys.
Monkeys that live in Central and South America are called New World monkeys. Those found in Africa and Asia are called Old World monkeys.
Most New World monkeys live in jungle trees. They have strong legs for climbing branches. Some, such as the spider monkey and the howler monkey, have long tails that grip branches.
Some monkeys live in trees and some live on the ground. Some monkeys have tails and some do not. Monkeys can live in forests, on plains, or in swamps. Many monkeys, such as baboons and macaques, have colorful faces and striking markings.
Monkeys have one baby at a time. Like all mammals, mother monkeys feed their babies with milk from their own bodies. Babies stay with their mothers for more than one year. Monkeys eat fruit, nuts, seeds, plants, grasses, and insects. Some monkeys live up to 20 years.
Monkeys live in groups called troops. Troops can range in size from 20 to 200. Monkeys in a troop protect and groom each other.