22 Marvellous Monkey Facts, Trivia, and Information

Monkeys are fascinating animals to watch and interact with. They are incredibly intelligent creatures and very close relatives of humans. Like humans, we classify monkeys as primates. Primates have relatively larger brains than their body size and a higher degree of intelligence. 

Monkeys come in different sizes, types, colors, and shapes. There are over 260 different species of monkeys worldwide. Read on as we explore 22 fascinating monkey facts. 

Related: For a few more cheeky monkey moments and other inspiration about what people say about monkeys, browse our list of the best monkey quotes.

Also, Proboscis monkeys feature at number two on our list of the world’s ugliest animals!

Summary: Essential Facts About Monkeys

Monkey Q&A

More Monkey Facts In Detail

1. Monkeys are classified into two major groups.

These extraordinary creatures are classified into two main groups: Old World monkeys and New World monkeys. Within these two groups, there are over 200 different types of monkeys.

Old World monkeys, called Cercopithecidae, are the most prominent primate family. These species of monkeys live in Africa and Asia.

What’s peculiar about Old World monkeys is their downward-pointing nostrils. Also, many Old World monkeys have pouches in their cheeks for storing food. Species include baboons, proboscis, mandrill, colobus, and patas monkeys. 

On the other hand, New World monkeys live in North and South America. Their nose is flatter compared to that of the Old World Monkey. Examples of New World monkeys include spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, woolly monkeys, and howler monkeys. 

Other primate species, such as lemurs and chimpanzees, are often thought to be monkeys, but they are not, in fact, monkeys.

2. Monkeys have tails.

Both groups of monkeys from the new and old world have tails. However, each species has some distinctions. New World monkeys like spider and howler monkeys have prehensile (capable of grasping) tails. Some use their prehensile tails to hold objects and tree branches. 

Monkeys from the Old World have non-grasping and much shorter tails. The longest tail belongs to the female spider monkey. With a body length of about 2 feet, these species can have a tail of 3 feet. Their tails can even carry their body weight and pick up objects like peanuts. 

3. Most monkeys live in tropical regions.

Most monkeys live in tropical regions of Central and South America, Asia, and Africa. New World monkeys live in tropical areas close to the Amazon rainforest in South America. Some also live in northern and southern Mexico. 

The Old World monkeys populate rainforests, savannas, and mountains in Africa and Asia. Baboon monkeys live in savannas, wooded areas, and hillsides. The Gelada and golden monkeys live in the mountains, while vervet monkeys prefer to live near lakes and streams.

Typically, monkey habitats include trees, grassland, forests, mountains, and high plains in most parts of the world - except Antarctica.

4. A group of monkeys is referred to as a troop. 

A group of monkeys is called a troop, tribe, or mission. A troop consists of individual monkeys that live and travel together for food. They also work to take care of their young monkeys. 

A troop typically has social structures. The most common is the one-male group. In this structure, one male monkey leads a group of female monkeys and can mate with all of them. However, other males seeking to overthrow him can threaten him.

Examples of this troop structure include howler monkeys and patas monkeys. Traveling in troops also protects them from predators. 

5. Some monkeys have opposable thumbs.

Humans are not the only ones with opposable thumbs, which are needed for grasping and can rotate in different directions. They are rare among animals because most do not need thumbs to survive. 

However, they are common in some Old and New World monkeys. Old World monkeys like baboons, macaques, and grivets use their thumbs to hold onto trees and objects. 

Few New World monkeys, like squirrels, night, and capuchins, have opposable thumbs. Other animals, such as koalas, apes, and chimps, also have opposable thumbs. 

Interesting monkey facts for kids and adults

6. Squirrel monkeys can make different sounds.

If you’ve ever heard monkey sounds, you would agree that they can be pretty loud. From screams to squawks and barks.

Did you know that Squirrel monkeys are among the most vocal monkeys, and they can make at least 26 different sounds, including purrs, screamers, and more? 

These monkeys eat nuts, leaves, insects, and small vertebrates. It is exceptional at jumping and running and primarily lives on trees. The monkeys are also very active during the day and sleep in a group at night. 

7. Some monkeys love to take a relaxing hot bath.

The Japanese Macaques, also known as Snow Monkeys, can be found in four regions in Japan. They are adaptable to various kinds of weather and temperatures, including hot mountain springs, subtropical forests, and highlands. 

Troops of Japanese Macaque monkeys go to the volcanic hot springs at Jigokudani Monkey Park in Japan for a hot, relaxing bath. Interestingly, research has it that these hot baths help to reduce stress in these monkeys¹. 

8. Capuchin monkeys are skilled with tools.

Capuchin monkeys are known for being really intelligent. These monkeys are said to be skilled with tools. According to archaeological findings, the capuchin monkeys have been using tools for over 3000 years². 

Their tool skills have also evolved. The capuchin monkey cracks its nuts open by placing them on a stone and using another stone to break them open. What's more remarkable is that the capuchin monkey has been seen adjusting its tool size, using smaller rocks for the softer and smaller nuts. 

These monkeys also exhibit some bizarre behaviors. For example, a group of white-faced capuchin monkeys sticks their fingers in one another’s noses and rub their furs on insects like Giant African Millipedes to repel other insects. 

9. The first primate in space was a monkey.

A rhesus monkey named Albert was the first primate in space, even before humans. Albert I was sent into space before humans to see how safe it was. Scientists needed to test their ability to launch a living creature into space and bring it back unharmed.

This monkey launch into space took place on June 11, 1948, in White Sands, New Mexico. Scientists also used other animals, such as chimps and dogs. 

10. Monkeys sleep while sitting down on a tree.

Monkeys sleep while sitting on trees. They choose their night perch, balancing on branches and sitting upright. They do this for comfort and to hide away from predators. 

Monkeys can sleep as long as 9.5 hours, much more than the typical 8-hour sleep for humans. Nocturnal night monkeys, like owl monkeys, sleep for as long as 17 hours a day. The owl monkey has large eyes and improved vision at night. They can also communicate with each other using scents. 

11. Monkeys are connected to some religious practices.

In Hinduism, people believe in a human-like monkey god called Hanuman. They believe Hanuman commanded a monkey army. This god is also thought to have incredible powers and can bestow long life, strength, and courage on those who believe in him. 

The Diana monkey also received its name due to its crescent-shaped brow, which looked like the bow of the hunting goddess Diana. 

12. The Myanmar species sneezes when it rains. 

These new species of monkeys, otherwise called the Burmese sneezing monkey or black snub-nosed monkey, sneeze uncontrollably when it rains. 

Scientists first discovered these monkeys in 2010 in the Gaoligong Mountains in Myanmar. They have long black hairs, white ear tufts, mustaches, pale face, pink skin, and a white chin beard. 

Because of their upturned nose, the rain falls into their nose, causing them to sneeze. These monkeys tuck their head between their knees during rainy or foggy days. Sadly, experts classify these monkeys as endangered as they only consist of approximately 300 individuals. 

Scientists speculate that their loud sneezes during the rainy season could give them away to hunters. 

13. Lesula monkeys have human-like faces.

Scientists discovered The Lesula monkey, a fairly new species, in 2007. These monkeys can be found in rainforests, perching on branches in the central Republic of Congo. They travel with other animals in smaller groups and are quite shy. 

What’s interesting about these monkeys is their looks. They have human-like eyes, flat faces, and noses, uncommon in other monkeys. They have blond fur from their chin to their chest, while the different parts of their bodies come in black fur. Sadly, these monkeys are also on the list of endangered species. 

Quiz: What monkey has the loudest call?

The Howler monkey has the loudest call. They are the loudest monkeys, and biologists consider them one of the loudest animals. They call out to others to protect their territory and alert them to stay away. When a Howler monkey calls, it sounds like a roar or a loud bark.

The male howler monkey is bigger and louder than the female howler monkey. They have huge throats and shell-shaped vocal chambers that are ideal for sound.

The howler monkey is a New World monkey that lives in South and Central America. It has prehensile tails that help it grip tree branches.

14. Monkeys strengthen their bond by grooming.

While humans give hugs as a sign of affection, monkeys express affection and strengthen their bond through grooming. Monkeys pick dirt, bugs, and debris off their companion’s fur for personal hygiene and as a sign of affection and love.

Grooming also presents other benefits, especially for the Vervet monkey. When vervet monkeys groom each other, it fluffs their furs and increases insulation. 

15. Baby monkeys are adults from 3-4 years.

Typically, the female monkeys are attracted to the strongest males. These male monkeys will be the leaders of the troop. This means they are the only ones to breed in the group. Once born, the baby monkeys are taken care of by their mothers. 

A baby monkey becomes an adult at 3-4 years old, and nonhuman primates experience a growth spurt in their early years. The number of offspring a female monkey gives birth to varies depending on the monkey species.

For example, baboons give birth to a single young and rarely give birth to twins. Pygmy marmosets typically give birth to twins and sometimes triplets. 

16. The largest monkey in the world is a Mandrill.

Mandrill monkeys live in the tropical rainforests in central West Africa and are the largest monkeys of all other monkeys. They are very colorful and easily recognizable by their faces' red and blue skin. 

They also have bright-hued rumps, which become even brighter when mandrills get excited. These monkey species have sharp and extremely long canine teeth, which they use for self-defense. Their cheeks also have pouches for food storage. 

Male mandrills are about 3 feet long and weigh up to 77 pounds. The female mandrill is smaller and weighs only 29 pounds on average.

Mandrills live together in troops headed by a dominant male mandrill with more than a dozen females and young. 

17. The smallest monkeys in the world are Pygmy marmosets.

The Pygmy marmoset is the smallest of other monkeys, with a body length of only about 14cm. Their grey fur has yellow, green, and black marks on their back and head. The pygmy marmoset also has long and sharp canines for eating. The female pygmy marmoset births one to three babies and frequently to fraternal twins. 

These smallest monkey species live in groups of two to six individuals. They thrive in river edge forests and dwell in lower elevations of the forest. They avoid forest floors and heights greater than 18cm from ground level. Sadly, these little guys also hold the title of the most common monkey sold as exotic pets, which now means they are endangered primates in the wild.

Read more: 20 Finger Monkey Facts.

18. South American Titi monkeys mate for life 

Titi monkeys are small monkeys that weigh around 1 kg and are found in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia. 

The male and female titi monkeys bond with one another by intertwining their tails. Their tails are about one-third the length of their entire body, including their head. Although their tails are not prehensile, they play an important role during mating and bonding. 

Titi monkeys are also monogamous and can mate for many years, with up to three generations in the same family group. They spend most of their time living in trees but come to the ground occasionally. 

19. Spider monkeys are very sociable 

The spider monkey is a highly social animal. In fact, spider monkeys can die of loneliness if captured and kept alone. These monkeys come together in the wild in groups of 40 to 50. However, they also break into smaller groups: a single male with his mates and offspring, several females and their young, or a female and her young. It could also be a group of male spider monkeys. 

When faced with danger, the smaller groups bark to reassemble into larger groups again. Their females give birth to a single young every two to five years. They live in tropical rainforests located in South and Central America. 

20. Europe has only one species of wild monkey 

The tailless Barbary macaque is the only wild monkey in Europe. Most of their kind live in mountainous regions in Algeria and Morocco. Aside from humans, these monkeys are the only primates living north of the Sahara in Africa. They live in large groups with a dominant female as their leader. 

You will notice that these monkeys are tailless. These monkeys also chatter their teeth, which is not a sign of aggression but friendliness. These monkeys eat insects and plants primarily and can live as long as 20 years. You will also find them grooming each other to strengthen their bonds, reduce stress, and maintain their health. 

Sadly, according to the IUCN, these animals are vulnerable to becoming endangered due to human-led deforestation. They are taken out of the wild to be sold as pets. Additionally, people still hunt monkeys for use in traditional medicines, and their natural habitat is also under attack due to logging.

If we don't want only to see these monkeys at the zoo, we must champion the conservation of their homes.

Environmental Monkey Facts 

21. Monkeys are successful seed dispersers 

Monkeys are excellent seed dispersers and contribute to restoring tropical forests and maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Monkeys typically consume fruits. Old World monkeys have pouches on their cheeks for storing fruits. They disperse seeds in two ways: eating fruits and spitting out the seeds or eating the whole fruit and defecating them. 

The larger monkeys consume a wide range of fruits in large quantities and disperse many seeds. Monkeys disperse more seeds than other animals and have a higher germination rate. The more trees grow, the more wildlife habitat is conserved, creating a balanced ecosystem. 

22. Some flowers look like monkeys 

The Dracula Simia, popularly called the “Monkey Orchid” or ”Monkey-like Dracula,” is a flower with a face resembling that of a monkey.

Oddly, these flowers smell like ripe oranges. They thrive in high altitudes and are native to the tropical highland forests in Southeastern Ecuador. These flowers also bloom at any time during any season. 

Final Thoughts

Monkeys are lovable and intelligent animals and are one of the closest species to humans.

Monkeys are also one of the most successful seed dispersers; without them, the restoration of trees and food production will be affected. With some species endangered due to habitat loss, steps to protect monkeys and all species remain critical to the survival of our world’s rich biodiversity.

Related: To further explore the animal kingdom, check out some of the other animals that start with M.