How many species of monkeys live on our planet, what do they eat, what are the features of their life? We enjoy reading about all this and watching TV shows. And this is not surprising, because we came from common ancestor. We have many similar features not only in appearance and skeletal structure, but also in behavior.

What types of monkeys are there?

Zoologists define two groups of primates, and these animals are classified according to them. They are divided into New and Old World primates. The first group includes monkeys living in Central and South America, and the second - in Asia and Africa. And each group has its own distinctive characteristics. New World monkeys have a tail that they can use to hold onto branches when moving through trees, and a wide nose. African and Asian primates very often do not have a tail, but even if they do have one, the animals do not use it as a kind of fifth limb; their nose is narrow. These two groups include more than one hundred and sixty species of monkeys.

Primates of South and Central America

The following monkeys (species) live in this area: marmosets, tamarins, capuchins, squirrel monkeys (56 species), owl and night monkeys, titi, sakis and Uakaris (41 species), howler monkeys, spider and woolly monkeys.

African and Asian primates

These continents are home to the most a large number of primates - more than 135 species. If you list all the types of monkeys, the list will be huge. They are grouped into broader categories: baboons, thin-bodied animals, colobus monkeys, mandrills, macaques. There is another category that includes the following species of apes: gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan, bonobo (pygmy chimpanzee) and gibbon.

Tamarins

These monkeys belong to the marmoset family. They live in the warmest areas South America: Brazil, Costa Rica, Tamarin basin is very easy to distinguish from other monkeys by the main characteristic distinctive feature is the mustache, although there are also representatives of this species without a mustache. Some have a downright lion's mane. And because of their very unusual appearance, these animals are constantly hunted - poachers catch tamarins for sale on the black market. This is why this species is facing extinction.

The length of the tamarin's body reaches from eighteen to thirty-five centimeters, with a tail - from twenty-three to forty-four centimeters, they weigh up to a kilogram. If we were to list the species of small monkeys, tamarins would top the list. Their main habitat is the highlands of Brazil. In these places the monkeys feel excellent: a mild, humid climate and plenty of food. Tamarins live in small groups of 5-10 individuals, which makes it easier for them to find food and protect themselves from predators. At night they sleep on tall trees, and with the onset of morning they begin to lead an active lifestyle: looking for food, looking after each other.

Tamarins are omnivores - they happily eat lizards, snails, insects, bird eggs, and plant foods - tree leaves, fruits, nuts and nectar. The food obtained is distributed equally among all members of the flock. If a stranger enters their territory, they all drive him out together, making frightening grimaces. The young animals are cared for by the whole group. Babies up to four months of age constantly move on their father's back. The monkeys talk to each other all the time, thereby informing each other about the food they have found and the approach of the enemy.

Monkeys

They belong to the monkey family. They are very small and funny monkeys. Types of monkeys: real and green, hussar, talapoin and others (23 in total). The body size is usually small (like a cat), the fur is thick and very soft. The color of these monkeys is very diverse: olive, gray-green, light gray, brown, red, blue, black. The muzzles are slightly elongated; some representatives of this species have mustaches, sideburns and beards. The tail is usually twice as long as the body. Ischial calluses are small in size.

These primates live mainly in forests. Monkeys feed on both plant and animal foods. The diet includes young tree branches and leaves, fruits, succulent grass, insects and small vertebrates. The monkeys flee from their enemies. It should be noted that greatest danger for them are people who catch them for sale. Monkeys can be tamed well, but to do this you need to take cubs. An adult monkey, once in captivity, is practically impossible to train.

Capuchins

More than thirty subspecies are combined into this one. The species of these primates form four groups. These monkeys live in Brazil and Honduras. They spend most of their time on the tops of tall trees. The body length of the animal reaches fifty centimeters. The head is round, with prominent cheekbones. The color of the muzzle is usually pink or white. On the top of the head there is a black crest, similar to a hood (in fact, because of this similarity the animal got its name).

Primates live in groups of 10 to 30 individuals. They work together to obtain food, defend themselves from enemies, and take care of their offspring. Capuchins are omnivores: they feed on both plant and animal foods. It should be noted that these monkeys are very smart. They can crack nuts with a stone and beat fruits on tree branches. Having caught it, they clean off the mucus from it, wiping it on a tree. Capuchin cubs spend all their time on their mother’s back for up to three months, crawling onto their chest to feed on milk. From the age of six months, they begin to lead a more independent lifestyle, eat adult food, but do not stray far from their mother.

Howler monkeys

Howler monkeys are the largest primates in the New World. They are the size of a dog. These monkeys have a long and very prehensile tail, which they constantly use when moving through the trees.

The primate's body is covered with thick but short hair. Long hair is only on the cone-shaped head. The jaw protrudes forward, somewhat similar to a dog's. The neck is very short, so it seems as if it is absent altogether. These primates spend most of their lives in trees. During the day they climb to the very tops, where they look for food, and at night they descend lower, settling down for the night in the dense branches of small trees. Howler monkeys are very afraid of water, as they absolutely cannot swim.

Monkeys feed on tree buds, leaves, succulent shoots and fruits. Howler monkeys unite in flocks that number from five to forty individuals. The female, as a rule, gives birth to one cub, which she feeds for up to 18 months. Young animals and childless females help look after the baby.

Baboons

The second name is yellow baboon. The length of the body reaches seventy-five centimeters, and the length of the tail is about sixty centimeters. The coat color is yellow - hence the name of the primate. Baboons live in East and Central Africa (in mountainous and steppe regions). They feed, like most primates, on plant and animal foods. The diet of baboons includes bulbs, lush grass, fruits, nuts, insects, lizards, bird eggs, etc.

Baboons never live alone. The group includes up to eighty individuals. There is a clear hierarchy in the flock, with several adult males dominating. In case of danger, they come to each other's aid. Friendly relations are established between males and offspring. Mature cubs female remain in the pack, but young males are forced to leave. Interestingly, herds of ungulates often join the flock of yellow baboons. The fact is that baboons have very acute vision, so they can warn of danger in time.

Mandrills

This is the most close-up view non-ape primates. They live in West Africa. Sexually mature males have a very beautiful and bright color. They have a bright pink nose and blue stripes on their muzzle. Females and young males do not have such bright colors. The weight of males sometimes reaches fifty-four kilograms. Females are much smaller.

The diet of primates includes both plant and animal foods. Mandrills eat more than one hundred and thirteen species of plants.

These monkeys live in families, which include one male and ten to fifteen females. Each family is assigned a territory of fifty square meters, which they mark with an odorous secret. Pregnancy in females lasts two hundred and twenty days. Babies are born from April to December, at this time there is a lot of food, so the females have time to feed them. The bond between mother and baby lasts a very long time. Until the age of three, the baby comes to spend the night with his mother.

Gorillas

Gorillas are the largest apes. These primates live in Africa. Until recently, the habitat of these monkeys was difficult to access. But the aborigines always knew about the proximity of these animals and tried not to meet them, believing that they had a ferocious disposition.

The growth of gorillas reaches almost two meters, and their weight is from one hundred and forty to two hundred kilograms. The body has a square shape. Fur and skin color is black. As males age, the fur on their backs turns grey. Like all primates, gorillas are diurnal. These monkeys feed exclusively on plant foods. They prefer stems and leaves, but fruits make up a small portion of the diet.

Gorillas have a very calm, even phlegmatic character, despite their terrifying appearance. The female mates only with the leader of the herd; pregnancy lasts eight and a half months. At first the cub rides on the mother’s back, and then walks next to her, holding on to her fur. Life expectancy is thirty to thirty-five years, but some individuals live for half a century.

The rarest species of monkeys

The man is very careless surrounding nature. Many animals were on the verge of extinction, including monkeys. Some of these species include such a small number of individuals that scientists around the world are sounding the alarm. Thus, the Society for the Protection of Animals took custody of drils - primates that are listed in the Red Book. The population of these animals numbers no more than ten thousand individuals. All monkeys (species do not matter) are being exterminated by humans at a catastrophic rate. And if this continues, the planet may lose these wonderful animals.

Pets

Nowadays, a pet monkey is not at all uncommon. Many pet stores sell these exotic animals. But it is worth considering that not all types of primates take root well at home. Here are some species of domestic monkeys that adapt well to captivity: tamarins, marmosets, gibbons, marmosets, capuchins. These primates are unpretentious in keeping, but certain rules must be followed. So, they should have a spacious cage, proper nutrition. Do not hit the animal or yell at it under any circumstances, otherwise it will withdraw into itself, be aggressive and boring. In poor conditions, monkeys die very quickly.

Man is very interested in the life of monkeys. Still would! Not only are there rumors in the scientific world about its involvement in the human race, but primates also resemble humans in their habits. Sometimes it seems that these animals are almost as intelligent as we are. Where do monkeys live?

In what country do monkeys live?

There are more than four hundred species of primates in the world. The most famous are anthropoids. In nature, there are monkeys with a body length from nine centimeters to one hundred and eighty. Mostly primates lead an arboreal lifestyle. They live in small groups. Supports daytime activity. These are omnivores. The tendency towards herbivory or carnivory depends on the habitat, the type of monkey and the time of year.

Since there are a lot of species of primates and, sometimes, they are quite distant from each other, we will look at the habitats of families of primates. Let us just recall from zoology: genera are distinguished within families, and species within genus.

Tentails, or capuchins

The most numerous variety, in which eleven genera are distinguished (howler monkeys, jumpers, sakis, woolly monkeys, squirrel monkeys and others).

Monkeys are small to medium sized great apes. All members of the capuchin family have a long tail covered with hair. In some species, this part of the body is capable of touch. The facial part of the head is shortened, the nostrils are well separated from each other, the eyes are large with developed eyelids. The hair of capuchins is monochromatic and quite thick.

Grain-tailed monkeys are good at jumping and running through trees. They feed mainly on vegetation. But they also eat insects, bird eggs and other small animals. The forelimbs are used to obtain food. Their faces are capable of expressing emotions.

The distribution range of capuchins is South America east of the Andes (from 27 degrees south latitude), Argentina north through Central America to 23 degrees northern latitude in Mexico.

Monkeys

The family has eight genera (macaques, proboscis monkeys, baboons, mangabeys and others). They have small and medium sizes. Some species have a tail, some do not. The physique of monkeys is also different: from graceful and light to quite heavy.

The forelimbs are slightly longer than the hind limbs. The hairline is usually long and silky. The entire body is covered with fur, excluding the ischium, face, soles and hind limbs.

Monkeys live in various places: jungles, open plains, mangrove swamps, rocky places. Almost all members of the family lead an arboreal lifestyle, macaques are terrestrial and arboreal, baboons are terrestrial. Monkeys are diurnal animals. At night they roost on rocks, trees or in caves.

The distribution area covers Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and Africa (where lions live). On the European continent they are found only in Gibraltar.

Hands

A family represented by only one species. Monkeys are small in size, have an elongated, slender body, a rounded head with a shortened facial region. The coat is coarse, dark brown or black.

Little hands live in forests, bamboo thickets and mangroves. They lead a mainly arboreal lifestyle. They remain active at night and sleep in hollows or treetops during the day. The main diet is insects and their larvae.

Habitat: Madagascar. The species is very rare and is therefore listed in the Red Book.

Tarsiers

The family is represented by one genus and two species. This is a transitional species between lemurs and lower apes. Distinctive features:

• small size (from 28 to 40 cm, tail - from 6 to 27 cm);
• maximum weight – 150 g;
• large, very mobile head (can rotate almost 180 degrees);
• short muzzle;
• huge, bulging eyes that do not fit into the cranial orbit;
• highly developed heel section;
• velvety wool of a grayish or red-brown hue;
• a long, rod-shaped tail with a tassel at the end;
• feed on animals (insects, small vertebrates, lizards, birds and their eggs).

Habitat: Southeast Asia. Moreover, each species occupies certain islands of the Philippine, Malay and Sunda archipelagos. Tarsiers choose inaccessible jungles.

Dwarf lemurs

The maximum size of these monkeys is 460 g. Species living in the eastern tropical forests have a reddish-brown tint, while in the western dry forests they have a gray back. Dwarf lemurs live in all types of forests on the island of Madagascar.

These are nocturnal animals that prefer an arboreal lifestyle. Dwarf lemurs build spherical nests from leaves or take advantage of natural voids in trees. The main diet is fruits and vegetables.

Gibbons

Characteristic features of the family:

• body length – from 45 to 90 cm;
• weight – 8-13 kg;
• graceful body with greatly elongated forelimbs;
• there is a small ischial callus;
• thick hair;
• color varies from black or brown to cream or whitish.

Gibbons live in dense tropical forests. They prefer an arboreal lifestyle. The main food is leaves and fruits.

The distribution area occupies Assam, Burma, the Indochina Peninsula, Hainan, Thailand, Tenasserim, the Malacca Peninsula, the islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Mentawai.

Apes

There are small, medium and large sizes. They don't have a tail. The minimum weight is five kilograms, the maximum is three hundred. Massive build, long forelimbs and short hind limbs. Rounded head with prominent facial region. Well developed brain.

Apes - inhabitants tropical forests. They lead a diurnal lifestyle, most of which is spent in trees. Distribution area: Southeast Asia and adjacent islands, Equatorial Africa.

Galago

These nocturnal animals are active jumpers. They feed on fruits, fruits and invertebrates. Galagos live only in Africa, but in various territories: from dry places with thorny bushes to tropical forests.

Marmosets

The smallest of the great apes. Very active tree monkeys. They remain active during the day and sleep in tree hollows at night.

The main diet is insects, birds, juicy fruits and seeds. Distributed mainly in South America. Found in Colombia, Panama, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

How long do monkeys live?

Life expectancy varies among different families of primates. Thus, tenacious-tailed animals lived in captivity up to twenty-five years (about as long as tigers live). The lifespan of monkeys in captivity is thirty to forty years. Little hands managed to live only up to nine years.

Tarsiers survive in captivity with difficulty and do not reproduce. Life in the wild lasts up to twelve years. Currently, most species of this family are extinct. The main threat is habitat destruction. Extinction threatens dwarf lemurs. Today these animals are listed in the Red Book.

The maximum lifespan of gibbons in captivity is twenty-three years. But anthropoids are long-lived. Life expectancy in captivity is forty-six years. Unfortunately, the number of anthropoids in their natural habitat is rapidly declining. The result of human persecution is ten thousand gorillas and two and a half thousand orangutans.

Primates have always interested people more than other animals. This is largely due to Darwin's theory and anthropological data on certain species. Next, let's look at where monkeys live, their varieties and life cycle features.

general information

There are several hundred species of primates in nature, the most famous of which are apes. The length of a monkey's body can vary from a few centimeters to two meters. As a rule, these animals lead an arboreal lifestyle and live in groups. Omnivorous animals are active during the day. Preferences in plant or animal food depend on the habitat. Where do monkeys live? Let's look at their living environment by family.

Marmosets and galags

The Marmoset family belongs to the smallest species of primates. They are very active and mobile, live in trees, perform all important tasks during the day, and sleep in tree hollows at night. The main food is fruits, seeds, birds and insects. Habitat regions: Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Colombia.

The nocturnal animals of galagos are very active jumpers. The main diet is fruits, other fruits, and invertebrates. Habitat - Africa. These can be either dry regions with thorny bushes or places with a tropical climate.

Family of apes

Next, let's look at where do monkeys that are most similar to humans live and what do they eat? These animals can be short, medium or tall. The mass of animals is, depending on the genus and species, from five to three hundred kilograms. Distinctive features are the massive build of the body, long front and short hind limbs. The head is round in shape with a prominent facial part. They also have a well-developed brain.

Mostly great apes live in tropical forests, lead a diurnal lifestyle, and spend a lot of time in trees. Habitat regions: Equatorial Africa, Southeast Asia and adjacent island territories. Food: fruits of trees, parts of bushes, insects, birds, small animals.

Gibbons

This family is characterized by the following features:

• body length - from 450 to 900 millimeters;
• body weight - from 8 to 13 kilograms;
• original structure with particularly elongated forelimbs;
• primates have an ischial callus;
• animals have thick hair;
• The color of the animals varies from cream to black or brown.

Gibbon families live primarily in tropical forests in trees, feeding on leaves and fruits. Habitat: Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java, Indochina, Thailand, Burma.

Where do dwarf lemurs live?

The largest individuals of these animals reach 460 grams. They live in eastern tropical forests and western drylands. Depending on the region, the animals have a red-brown color or a gray tint. Many of these primates live on the island of Madagascar. Unlike most other monkeys, lemurs are nocturnal, mostly in trees. They build nests in the form of balls of leaves and use natural hollows as homes. The animals usually feed on fruits and roots.

Tarsiers

Below we describe where (in which country) monkeys of the tarsier family live, which are a transitional link between lemurs and lower species. Features of these animals:

• small size - from 280 to 400 millimeters with a tail 6-25 cm long;
• weight - 150 g (maximum);
• The animals have a relatively large and very mobile head, which can be rotated 180°.
• shortened muzzle;
• eyes - large bulging;
• well-developed heel section;
• the wool is velvety, reddish or gray in color;
• the long elastic tail has a tassel at the end;
• diet - vertebrates, insects, lizards, birds and eggs.

Habitat: Southeast Asia. In this case, a certain species occupies a specific territory (the islands of the Philippine, Sunda and Malay archipelago).

Hands

This family is represented by one species and is listed in the Red Book. Individuals are small in size, have a slender and somewhat elongated body, a rounded head, and a shortened facial part. Monkeys have rough, brown or black fur.

Where do monkeys of this family live? Their main habitats are bamboo and mangrove thickets, as well as jungles. Primates are active at night, lead an arboreal lifestyle, sleeping in tree hollows or in their crowns. The main food is insects and larvae. This rare species can only be found in Madagascar.

Monkeys

Features of this family:

• the category includes eight genera of primates;
• some of them are tailless;
• the body type is different - from an elegant light body to a massive and heavy body;
• hind limbs shorter than front legs;
• the hairline is long and silky;
• hair covers the entire body, including the ischium, soles and hind legs.

Where do monkeys live? In the jungle, on open plains, rocky places. Mangroves are the main habitats of apes. Some of them lead an arboreal lifestyle, others move on the ground. During the day, animals are active; at night, they roost in caves or tree cavities. Population regions - Southeast Asia, Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Gibraltar.

Capuchins

This is the most numerous species of primates (11 genera). The animals are medium to small in size and have a long, hairy tail. Some individuals can use it as an organ of touch. The hair of prehensile-tailed primates (capuchins) is thick and uniform in color. The facial part of the head is shortened, the nostrils are clearly separated, and the large eyes have pronounced eyelids.

These representatives of primates are excellent at moving through trees, feeding on plant foods, but they do not disdain insects, bird eggs and other small animals. Capuchins hold prey with the help of their front paws; their muzzle is capable of expressing some emotions. Habitat: South and Central America, Argentina, Mexico.

Where does the spider monkey live?

This category of primates lives on tree branches and moves along them with the help of prehensile limbs. Animals live in families of up to twenty individuals, which are also divided into groups of 4-5 representatives. They lead a diurnal lifestyle, feeding on plant and animal foods.

Depending on the species, the coat color of arachnid primates can vary from gray to black. The main habitat is Peru, Central and South America, Brazil, Bolivia. Above we looked at where many, many wild monkeys live. It is worth noting that, despite the beauty and visual good nature of some representatives of primates, in fact they can be cunning and very dangerous. In our country, you can see monkeys in zoos located in large cities.

Monkeys are fairly well-studied four-armed mammals that are closest in origin and body structure to humans. In a broader sense, all monkeys are representatives of the order Primates. According to the new taxonomy, real monkeys are allocated to the infraorder Apes, and are united with tarsiers, belonging to the suborder Dry-nosed primates (Harlorhini). All prosimians (with the exception of tarsiers) are classified in the suborder Wet-nosed primates (Strepsirrhini).

Description of monkeys

The brain of monkeys is quite well developed, therefore it has a so-called complex structure. Apes are characterized by the presence of highly developed parts of the brain that are responsible for the meaningfulness of movements. Most monkeys have binocular vision, and the whites of the eyes, along with the pupils, are black in color. The dental system of monkeys is similar to human teeth, but the narrow-nosed and broad-nosed monkeys have some noticeable differences - there are 32 and 36 teeth. Great apes have massive teeth with a complex root structure.

Appearance

The body length of adult monkeys can vary markedly - from fifteen centimeters in the pygmy marmoset species to a couple of meters in male gorillas. The weight of the animal also directly depends on the species characteristics. The body weight of the smallest representatives can be no more than 120-150 grams, and individual, largest gorilla individuals often weigh 250-275 kg.

A significant portion of monkey species that lead an exclusively arboreal lifestyle have a long back, a short and narrow chest, and fairly thin hip bones.

Gibbons and orangutans are characterized by the presence of a wide and massive chest, as well as well-developed, large pelvic bones. Some species of monkeys are distinguished by a very long tail, exceeding the length of the body, and also performing a balancing function during the active movement of the animal through the trees.

Land-dwelling monkeys are characterized by a short tail, but apes do not have one at all. The body of monkeys is covered with hair of varying degrees of length and density, the color of which can vary from light brown and red tones to black and white and grayish-olive tones. Some older individuals become noticeably grayer over the years, and many male monkeys are even characterized by the appearance of bald spots.

Four-armed mammals are distinguished by mobile and very well-developed upper limbs, endowed with five fingers. The phalangeal part ends with a nail. Also to distinctive features monkeys refers to the presence of opposition thumb. The way of life directly depends on the general development of the animal’s legs and arms. Species that spend a significant part of their time only in trees have short thumbs, which helps them easily move from one branch to another. And, for example, the feet of a baboon are characterized by a pronounced length and even some grace, which makes it convenient to move on the ground.

Character and lifestyle

The social behavior of monkeys is still not well understood, however, the basic general information about the character and lifestyle of such primates. For example, marmosets also lead an arboreal lifestyle, and the nail plates, which have turned into strongly curved claws, allow such monkeys to easily climb trees. All prehensile-tailed monkeys, when collecting fruits from trees, are securely held by the branches with their long and very tenacious tail.

This is interesting! Representatives of many species of monkeys leading an arboreal lifestyle do not descend to the surface of the earth, since in the crowns of a tree such animals are able to find everything they need for life.

Tree species are represented by small monkeys, which are simply amazingly mobile, and macaques and baboons living in Asia and Africa search and collect food on the ground, but spend the night only in tree crowns. Frilled baboons inhabit the maximum open spaces in savannas and plateaus. Such animals are not very mobile and belong to the category of typical land monkeys.

Monkey intelligence

Apes are very intellectually developed animals, as evidenced by a number of different scientific research and experiments. The intelligence of chimpanzees, whose genetic base is approximately ninety percent identical to human indicators, has been most studied to date. This species is so genetically close to humans that at one time scientists even proposed to classify such an animal as a member of the genus Humans.

Unable to speak due to the peculiarities of the vocal apparatus, chimpanzees are quite capable of communicating in sign language, symbols and the language of lexigrams. IN natural conditions anthropoid species often and actively use tools to collect water and honey, catch termites and ants, hunt animals and crack nuts. Regardless of the relationships within a herd or pack, monkey communication is characterized by complex shapes behavior. Such animals are not at all alien to many feelings, including friendship and love, envy and resentment, rancor and cunning, intense anger, as well as empathy and grief.

This is interesting! Japanese macaques are incredibly inventive monkeys who, thanks to their extraordinary intelligence, have found a way to protect themselves from frost in their habitats and plunge neck-deep into the waters of hot springs to warm up.

Monkeys try to unite in herds or flocks, so they are forced to maintain constant communication with each other. Thanks to secretion marks from the scent glands, animals receive information about sex and age, as well as social status specific individual. However, more important for communication are optical signals, including head nodding, mouth opening wide, teeth exposed, and striking the ground. For example, mutual cleaning of wool is not only a matter of hygiene, but also serves as a kind of unifying factor that strengthens the relationships of individuals within the group.

How long do monkeys live?

Monkeys typically live for about half a century in conditions wildlife, and slightly longer when kept in captivity. The exact average lifespan of monkeys varies depending on the species and habitat. Along with other members of the primate order, all monkeys undergo developmental stages similar to humans.

This is interesting! A significant proportion of monkeys die before the age of fifty, becoming victims of accidents, attacks by predators or people.

Newborn monkeys are completely dependent on their mothers until the age of five, before entering the juvenile stage of their development. The adolescent stage in monkeys usually begins at the age of eight, and primates reach sexual maturity at sixteen years, when the animal becomes independent and fully grown.

Monkey species

The infraorder Apes are represented by two parvoorders:

• Broad-nosed monkeys (Platyrrhini);
• Narrow-nosed monkeys (Catarrhini).

In the modern classification, more than four hundred species of monkeys are distinguished, and among the most unusual and interesting at present, they deservedly include:

• Black Howler (Alouatta caraya) from the family, found in Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina. Representatives of the species make peculiar, very loud roaring sounds. Males have black coats, while females have yellow-brown or olive coats. The length of an adult male black howler monkey is about 52-67 cm with a body weight of 6.7 kg, and females are much smaller. The basis of the diet is represented by fruits and foliage;
• Mourning capuchin (Cebus oliveceus) from the Chain-tailed family, living in the virgin forests of Venezuela, Brazil and Suriname. The maximum weight of a male is 3.0 kg, and females are about a third less. The coat color is brown or light brown, with a grayish tint. There is a characteristic black-haired triangle in the head area. Flocks of this type practice infanticide in the form of deliberate killing of cubs, and protection from bloodsuckers is carried out by rubbing the fur with poisonous centipedes. The species is omnivorous;
• Crowned, or Blue monkey (Cercorithecus mitis) lives in forest areas and bamboo groves on the African continent. The animal has a gray color with a bluish tint and a white stripe on the fur that runs above the eyebrows and resembles a crown. The average body length of adult monkeys varies between 50-65 cm, with a body weight of 4.0-6.0 kg. Males are distinguished by well-developed white whiskers and fairly long fangs;
• White-handed gibbon (Нylobates lar) from the Gibbon family, living in the tropical forest areas of China and the Malay Archipelago. Adults usually grow to a length of 55-63 cm with a body weight in the range of 4.0-5.5 kg. The body has fur of black, brown or other colors, but the area of ​​the arms and legs is always a characteristic white color. The basis of nutrition is represented by fruits, leaves and insects;
• Eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) is the most big monkey in the world, with a height of about 185-190 cm with an average body weight of 150-160 kg. The massive animal has a large head and broad shoulders, an open chest and long legs. The coat color is predominantly black, but the mountain gorilla subspecies is characterized by a bluish tint. On the back of a mature male there is a strip of silvery fur. The diet is represented by plants and fungi, less often by invertebrate animals;
• Pale, or white-headed saki (Pithecia pithecia) is a broad-nosed monkey with long and shaggy hair. The size of an adult animal varies between 30-48 cm, with a weight of no more than 1.9-2.0 kg. The male's black coat contrasts markedly with the pink or white color of his face. The adult female has a black-gray or gray-brown coat color and is also pale-faced. The diet is represented by seeds and fruits that grow in Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil;
• Hamadryad, or frilled baboon (Pario hamadryas) from the species Narrow-nosed monkeys and the genus Baboons, inhabits the open spaces of Africa and Asia, including Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan, as well as Nubia and Yemen. The body length of an adult male varies between 70-100 cm and weighs about 28-30 kg. The difference between the male is the original arrangement of hair with long hair on the shoulders and chest area. Females have a darker coat color;
• Japanese macaque (Masasa fussata listen)) is a species found primarily in northern Honshu, but a small population has been artificially introduced into Texas. The height of an adult male varies between 75-95 cm, with a weight of 12-14 kg. A characteristic feature of the species is bright red skin, especially noticeable in the area of ​​the animal’s muzzle and on the buttocks, which are completely devoid of hair. The fur of the Japanese macaque is thick, dark gray with a slight brown tint;
• Ordinary (Pan troglodytes) is a species that lives in wooded areas of the tropics and in humid savannas of the African continent. The body of the animal is covered with very coarse and hard fur of a dark brown color. The fur near the mouth and in the tailbone area is partially white, and the feet, muzzle and palms are completely devoid of fur. Common chimpanzee omnivore, but the main part of the diet is represented by plants.

Of particular interest are the pygmy marmosets (Cebuella pygmaea), which are the smallest monkeys in the world and inhabit forests in South America.

Range, habitats

Monkeys live in the territories of almost all continents, including Europe, south and southeast Asia, Africa, tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America, as well as Australia. There are no monkeys in Antarctica.

• chimpanzees inhabit the countries of Central and Western Africa: Senegal and Guinea, Angola and Congo, Chad and Cameroon, as well as some others;
• The distribution range of macaques is very wide and extends from Afghanistan to Southeast Asia and Japan. Magot macaques live in North Africa and Gibraltar;
• The gorilla's habitats are represented by equatorial forests in Central and Western Africa, and part of the population is found in Cameroon and Gambia, Chad and Mauritania, Guinea and Benin;
• orangutans live exclusively in humid forest areas on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan;
• The habitat of howler monkeys is represented mainly by the countries of southern Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina;
• The distribution areas of the monkey are Southeast Asia, the entire Arabian Peninsula and the African continent, as well as Gibraltar;
• almost all varieties of gibbon live only in the Asian region, and their natural habitat is represented by forest areas of Malaysia and India, humid tropical thickets in Burma, Cambodia and Thailand, Vietnam and China;
• hamadryas (baboons) have become widespread throughout almost the entire territory of African countries, are the only primates inhabiting the northeastern part of the continent, including Sudan and Egypt, and are also found on the Arabian Peninsula;
• The distribution range of capuchins is represented by vast areas of tropical humid forest zones, ranging from Honduras to the territories of Venezuela and southern Brazil;
• baboons are very widespread in the territories of East and Central Africa, including Kenya and Uganda, Ethiopia and Sudan, Congo and Angola;
• Saki monkeys are typical inhabitants of South America and are also often found in Colombia, Venezuela and Chile.

Tamarins prefer the warmest regions of Central America, Costa Rica and South America, found in almost all areas of the Amazon lowland, and some species inhabit Bolivia and Brazil.

Monkey diet

Monkeys are predominantly herbivorous four-armed mammals that prefer to eat fruits, leaves and flowers, as well as roots. different plants. Many known species of monkeys are quite capable of supplementing their plant diet with small vertebrates and insects for variety. Some monkeys have evolved to eat special foods.

Marmosets very readily eat the gum that flows from damaged tree trunks. Such monkeys easily gnaw out holes in tree bark using incisors, after which the sweet plant juice is licked off with their tongue. The red-backed saki loves hard fruit seeds, and to eat them, it uses an interdental gap that functions like a regular nutcracker.

Howler monkeys and howler monkeys readily feed on very hard and low-nutritive tree foliage. In such monkeys, the stomach is divided into several parts by special partitions, which is somewhat reminiscent of the digestive system of ruminants.

This is interesting! A significant part of the Old World species have so-called cheek pouches, inside of which a large amount of food can easily fit.

Thanks to this structural feature, the path of food passage increases, and food moves for quite a long time through the digestive system, which allows the foliage to be completely and well digested. In the double or triple stomachs of all leaf-eating monkeys there are bacteria and protozoa that are responsible for the process of active breakdown of cellulose.

The monkey animal is a special type of mammal, which is similar in structure to humans. The animal belongs to the order of primates, suborder dry-nose.

Adults can reach a height of up to 2.5 meters, the smallest monkeys do not exceed 15 centimeters. The largest species of this animal is gorillas, especially males.

The weight of such a large primate varies from 250-280 kg, while very small monkeys can weigh only 200 grams.

Monkeys that live in trees are distinguished by a special elongated back, which allows them to wrap around branches, and also allows them to jump and climb trees well.

Some species of monkeys have a long tail, usually longer than the entire body, which allows them to maintain balance and easily move through the bushes. Monkeys that live on land have a much shorter tail, and those primates that are similar to humans have no tail at all.

The body of monkeys is covered with hair, their color can be from light red to black, it all depends on where the monkey lives and what species it belongs to.

Monkeys, like humans, when they reach a certain age, turn gray and may go bald; this applies more to males.

Monkeys have fairly developed limbs, especially the upper ones; like humans, they have five fingers, only the tips of the fingers are covered with rough nails. Also, the development of the limbs largely depends on how and where the monkey lives; it is believed that the most developed primates are those that live in trees.

The teeth of primates are similar to those of humans, however, monkeys with a narrow nose have a different oral cavity; also, narrow-nosed and broad-nosed monkeys have a different number of teeth, the first 32, the second 36.

Such mammals have a developed brain, they are quite smart, especially anthropoid species is able to understand well and also perform some actions meaningfully.

They communicate with each other using special signals, which consist of individual sounds and facial expressions. The most noisy are the monkeys; you can hear their squeaking for hours.

Their facial expressions are also well developed; they can express their dissatisfaction, joy, love, and can even tease.

Where do certain species of primates live?

Monkeys live all over the world in separate parts of countries and continents. Densely populated by monkeys are Gibraltar, Asia, Japan, China, Africa (with the exception of Madagascar), in the tropics of South America, and Australia.

Chimpanzees can be found in Western America, gorillas live in Africa, Mauritania, and Guinea. Orangutans love wet forests, which is why they inhabit Sumatra and Kalimantan.

The howler monkey species lives in the southern parts of Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.

There are quite a lot of monkeys and gibbons in Asia and Africa. Gibbons love the climate of India, Malaysia, as well as the humid tropics of Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and China.

Hamadryas inhabit all parts of Africa, but baboons live only in certain parts of it - Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia.

How and how long do monkeys live?

Some species live in trees with dense crowns; it is comfortable for them to hide there, as well as shelter from rain and sun. Monkeys defend their place, so if another one tries to drive it away from its favorite bush, it will respond with aggression and a strong squeak.

Monkeys living on the ground move everywhere, they usually do not occupy separate places, and live in packs in the general territory of the forest.

Primates can live up to 45 years on average.

What do primates eat?

Monkeys are a special type of animal that eats everything, their diet depends on the places in which they live, on land or on the ground. Monkeys living in trees eat leaves, fruits, buds, nuts, and also eat large insects.

Primates that lead a terrestrial lifestyle consume plant roots and shoots, and they especially love fern leaves. In addition to fruits, special species eat fish, mice, lizards, and also like to feast on beetles and grasshoppers.

Types and photos of monkeys

The black howler is a monkey from the arachnid family. The primate received this name because of its roaring sounds, which can be heard 6 km away.

The males of such monkeys are black in color, while the female, on the contrary, is light brown. Howler monkeys live in Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina.

The mourning capuchin is a special species of primate belonging to the prehensile-tailed family. The weight of such a monkey varies from 3 to 4 kg.

The animal's fur is light brown in color and has a black triangular tuft on its head. These primates feed on insects and tree shoots. They live in Brazil and Suriname.

White-handed gibbon - this type of monkey is similar to humans. Adults reach a height of 65 cm and weigh up to 5 kg. The coloring of such primates is brown, sandy, sometimes even light beige.

Such monkeys feed on insects, leaves, and fruits. The species lives in China.

There are a huge number of monkey breeds, they all live in different parts of the planet. The animal gets along well with people and can be trained; specially trained monkeys help disabled people move.

Photos of monkeys