Page 114 - Present Day Wildlife_Float

The term ‘Monkey’ is used to describe around 300 species of, mostly tree dwelling, mammals, also
known as primates. Most, not Apes ,are members of the family, Cercopithecidae. Monkeys are divided
into two distinct groups; Old World monkeys, which are native to Africa and Asia and New World
monkeys, found only in Central and South America. The largest of the species is the Mandrill
(Mandrillus sphinx) that is around 10 cm in length and 33 kilograms in weight. The smallest is the pyg-
my marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea), which grows to
around 13.6 cm in length and weighs around 119
grams. Although, all monkeys are primates, some
primates are not monkeys like prosimians, including
lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers, these are not monkeys.

In terms of looks, colour, physical features, and
size, monkeys are a complex and diverse species.
However, comparing the differences within each
group can often help establish a monkey’s wherea-
bouts and identity. For instance, New world Mon-
keys, are exclusive to the Americas and tend to be
smaller and more arboreal, while many Old world
monkeys are more terrestrial. The New world spe-
cies also have long tails, and many like the spider
monkeys have prehensile tails. Old World monkeys
have non-prehensile tails or no visible tail at all,
like the Barbary macaque. New World monkeys
don’t have cheek pouches, and cannot store food in their mouths,
while many Old World species, like the Macaque have pouches.
Physical features like the nose differ in both groups. The noses of
the Old World group have small curved nostrils set close together,
while the noses of the New World group have round nostrils set far
apart. Old World monkeys also have Apes as a member, making
them, though controversial; monkeys. There are two types of apes;
the gibbons (Lesser Apes) and the Hominidae (Great Apes). Apes
have a much broader chest then the average monkey, and except for
the great ape; L’Hoest monkey they have no tail. They are not as ag-
ile as most monkeys and move around trees ponderously slow and
never instinctively swing around in the branches.

Monkeys live in widely diverse environments. Most Asian, Af-
rican, and monkeys in the Americas live in rainforests and the sa-
vannas of Africa. Some, like the Geladas inhabit the Ethiopian
Highlands and the golden monkeys the volcanic mountainous re-
gion of Central Africa, whereas the Japanese macaques, prefers
the northern snowy regions of Japan and the rarest monkey in the
world the, Cat Ba langur, favours the limestone forests of Cát Bà
Island, Vietnam. Monkeys are sociable animals often living in large
groups known as troops. They communicate with one another
through facial expressions, body movements and vocally with
screams, grunts, squeaks, hoots, wails, and moans. They are con-
stantly grooming themselves and one another, an action that helps bond the group together.

Most species are diurnal, while the owl or night monkeys are at their most active during the
night. Monkeys are primarily frugivorous , living on a wide variety of plant material. What each species
eats will, of course, be dictated by the environment they live in, but it’s safe to say their diet will include
things like, fruits, flowers, seeds, shoots, roots, and leaves. It’s known, that some species do occasional-
ly eat birds, insects, small mammals and raid nests for eggs. Monkeys, on the other hand, are preyed on
by most big cats, large birds of prey, wolves, jackals and snakes. Man’s land expansion isn’t helping.
More of the monkeys predators like big cats, are being forced into smaller areas and with traditional
prey depleted, monkeys have become, in many areas, the prime source of food for many of these tree
climbing big cats. Poaching, although illegal in most countries, is still a serious problem and with mon-
keys being sold on the world market for thousands of dollars, it’s a trade unlikely to end soon.