Welcome to an exciting adventure into the world of monkeys! If you’re ready to learn some amazing money facts, you’re in the right place. Learn all about these playful and curious creatures here.
Monkeys are fascinating animals that swing from trees, eat yummy fruits, and have their own unique ways of communicating.
Did you know like humans, monkeys are mammals and call their babies infants? Did you know there are over 200 species of monkeys? Learn more about these playful animals with these amazing monkey facts for kids. The monkey facts are perfect for Kindergarten and young elementary school students.
Fact #1 Monkeys are Primates
Monkeys are primates. A primate is a group of animals that include humans, apes, and monkeys. Monkeys are mammals. A mammal is a warm-blooded animal with hair, breathing air, and giving birth to its young. Humans are also mammals.
Fact #2 There are 264 species of monkeys
Monkeys are divided into Old World Monkeys and New World Monkeys.
Old World Monkeys are monkeys that live in Africa and Asia. Some species of Old World Monkeys are Baboon, Mandrill, Snub-Nosed Monkey, and Kipunji.
New World Monkeys are monkeys that live in South America. Some species of New World Monkeys are Central America Squirrel Monkey, Pygmy Marmoset, Golden Lion Tamarin, and a Black-Headed Night Monkey.
Old World Monkeys have 32 teeth, and New World Monkeys have 36 teeth.
Fact # 3 Monkeys aren’t apes
Apes are not a species of monkeys. One of the main differences between apes and monkeys is tails.
Monkeys have tails, just like a long rope hanging from their bottoms. They use their tails to help them balance and swing from trees.
On the other hand, apes don’t have tails at all! They have big, strong bodies, and their arms are longer than their legs. Apes are also much bigger than monkeys.
Popular apes include chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans
Another difference is how they move around. Monkeys love to climb trees and swing from branch to branch using their tails. They are very agile and quick!
On the other hand, Apes prefer to walk on all fours or use their knuckles to walk on the ground.
One more important thing to know is that apes are considered to be more like us humans than monkeys. They are really smart and can do amazing things, like using tools and learning sign language.
So, to sum it up, monkeys have tails, are smaller, and are great climbers. Apes, like chimpanzees and gorillas, don’t have tails, are bigger, and are really smart! They are both incredible creatures, but they have their own unique features that make them special.
Fact # 4 A monkey’s appearance varies by species
There are so many types of monkeys, and each type of monkey looks different. Though each monkey species may look different, they all have common traits.
Some of those traits include tails; all monkeys have some tails; some are long, some are short, and some are tiny stubs but they all have them.
Hair all monkeys have hair; they may be different colors, lengths, and textures, but they all have hair. All monkeys have four limbs, two legs, and two arms. They use their limbs to walk and run.
The smallest species of monkey is the pygmy marmoset. They are between 4-6 inches long and weigh less than 1 pound.
The largest species of monkey is the mandrill. They can be 3 ½ feet tall and weigh up to 77 pounds.
Fact # 5 Monkeys are Social
Monkeys are very social animals and live in groups. A group of monkeys is called a troop, tribe, or mission. They are also intelligent and are good at communicating and figuring out how to solve problems. Monkeys like to play and cuddle with other monkeys.
Monkeys communicate with each other through a variety of sounds, facial expressions, and body language. The loudest monkey is the Howler Monkey. The howls from a Howler Monkey can be heard up to 3 miles. A squirrel monkey has over 25 sounds that they use to communicate with each other.
Monkeys are usually more active during the day. Owl Monkeys, also known as night monkeys, are a species of monkey that is more active at night.
Spider Monkeys are monkeys that swing from tree branch to tree branch like they are playing on monkey bars. All other species of monkeys run across the branches.
Like humans, monkeys have fingers and their own set of fingerprints.
Monkeys can grab objects with their toes and fingers. Some monkeys can even grab things with their tails.
Fact #6 Monkeys Live in Many Types of Habitats
Monkeys have special places they call home, and we call it their habitat. Monkeys live in different habitats all around the world.
A monkey’s habitat includes forests, rainforests, grasslands, high plains, jungles, and mountains. Old World Monkeys live mostly in Africa and in some parts of Asia. New World Monkeys live in Central and South America.
Cool Fact: More species of monkeys live in Brazil than in any other country.
Most monkeys are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in trees. However, some monkeys, including baboons, live on the ground.
Monkeys are really good at moving around in their habitats because they can climb trees and jump from branch to branch. They also like to be near rivers or lakes because monkeys sometimes enjoy swimming and playing in the water.
Patas Monkeys live on flat open ground in West Africa. Japanese macaques monkeys, also known as snow monkeys, live in the northern mountainous regions of Japan in the snow!
Fact # 7 Baby Monkeys are Born Helpless
Mother monkeys are pregnant between 4 to 7 months, depending on the monkey species.
A mother monkey usually gives birth to one monkey at a time. A baby monkey is called an infant. When baby monkey is born, they are helpless and completely dependent on their mothers.
Monkeys are very loving to their babies. Monkeys often carry their young on their backs or around their necks. They have soft fur that keeps them warm and cozy.
When baby monkeys are born, they don’t know how to walk or climb. They learn really quickly by watching their moms and dads. They practice holding onto branches and swinging around like a little acrobat!
Baby monkeys are very playful. They chase each other, climb trees, and even have friendly wrestling matches. It’s their way of having fun and practicing their skills.
Monkeys are considered adults between the ages of 3 – 5.
Fact # 8 Some Monkeys Eat Small Animals
Monkeys have an interesting diet. They eat all sorts of tasty things to keep themselves healthy and strong. Most monkeys love to munch on fruits like bananas, oranges, and berries.
Monkeys also enjoy eating leaves, flowers, and even tree bark. Some monkeys even eat nuts and seeds.
Monkeys are quite clever; sometimes, they even eat insects like ants or beetles. They might use special tools, like sticks, to dig out the bugs from their hiding spots.
Carnivorous Monkeys (monkeys that eat meat) like to eat eggs from birds’ nests. They carefully crack open the shell and enjoy the yummy treat inside. That’s not all. Some also munch on small animals like squirrels, bats, lizards, and snails.
Fact # 9 Monkeys Can Carry Diseases
Monkeys, just like other animals, can sometimes carry diseases. It’s important to know about the diseases they carry so we can keep ourselves and the monkeys safe.
Monkeys can carry “zoonotic disease.” These are diseases that can pass between animals and humans. Some monkeys may carry certain viruses or bacteria that can make people sick if they come in contact with them.
That’s why it’s important to be careful and not touch or get too close to wild monkeys.
Another disease monkeys can carry is called simian herpes. It’s a kind of herpes that affects monkeys. Usually, monkeys with this virus don’t show any signs of being sick, but it can be dangerous if it spreads to humans.
Monkeys can also carry diseases such as hepatitis and tuberculosis.
Monkeys cannot catch the common cold.
It’s always a good idea to appreciate monkeys from a safe distance while watching them in their habitat to stay safe.
Fact # 10 A Monkey is a Zodiac Sign
The monkey is actually the 9th animal in the Chinese zodiac, which is a special way of measuring time in China.
Each year, a different animal becomes the zodiac sign, and people who are born in that year are said to have some of the characteristics of that animal. So, if you were born in the year of the monkey, it means that you have some qualities that monkeys have!
So, if you’re a monkey in the zodiac, it means you’re full of energy, love to have a good time, and can think of clever solutions.
Fact # 11 Money Habitats are Threatened
Monkeys usually live in forests and jungles, with many trees and plants to swing and play on. But sadly, some people cut down trees and clear the land to make space for things like buildings, farms, or roads. This is called deforestation.
When deforestation happens, a monkey’s home may be destroyed when the trees are cut down. Imagine if someone suddenly came and took your home away! It would be really scary and sad, right?
Not only that, but deforestation also affects the other animals and plants that live in the forest. It upsets the balance of nature. Without enough trees, monkeys and other creatures may not have enough food to eat or safe places to hide from predators.
Climate change is another thing that can threaten monkey habitats. When the weather patterns change and become too hot or too dry, the forests and jungles can’t grow properly. This means monkeys may not have enough food or water to survive.
But don’t worry! Many people care about monkeys and their habitats. They work hard to protect the forests and jungles and make sure monkeys have a safe place to live.
They also teach others about the importance of taking care of our environment.
Fact #12 Monkeys are Intelligent
Monkeys have high IQs are awesome at problem-solving.
They are also great mimics. Monkeys have the ability to copy human actions, such as making faces or using tools. They use sticks and rocks as tools to help them open nuts or dig for insects.
Fact #13 Monkeys smile
It’s true. Monkeys are often smiling, leaving observers wondering up there are up to. Sometimes they are up to no good.
Monkeys can be sneaky. Monkeys are known for their cleverness in snatching food from unwary humans or even from their fellow monkeys. They might wait for the right moment to grab a snack, especially if it’s a treat they’re not supposed to have.
Some monkey species have been observed using distraction as a tactic to achieve their goals. For instance, one monkey might create a commotion or noise in one area to divert attention while another monkey sneaks away to explore or get food.
Fact # 14 Snakes Hunt Monkeys
Monkeys, just like any other animal, have some predators in the wild. Predators are other animals that hunt and eat monkeys.
One of the main predators of monkeys is big cats, like lions, tigers, and leopards. These cats are strong and fast, with sharp teeth and claws that help them catch and eat monkeys.
Another predator that monkeys have to watch out for is the eagle. Eagles are birds that can fly high in the sky and have really good eyesight. Sometimes, they swoop down from above and try to grab monkeys with their sharp talons.
But don’t worry, monkeys are quite clever and can usually spot the eagles coming and find a safe place to hide.
Boa Constrictor Snakes are also predators of Howler Monkeys. Boa Constrictors are really good at climbing trees and can slither silently to catch Howler monkeys by surprise. Howler Monkeys have to be cautious when they see snakes around.
In some places in the world, people hunt monkeys for their meat. Some people called trophy hunters also hunt monkeys as a sport.
Fact # 15 Some Monkey Species are Endangered
Some species of monkeys are endangered. Some species include:
- Roloway Monkey
- Pennants Red Colobus
- Tana River Red Colobus
- Miss Waldran’s Red Colobus
- Kipunji
- Pig-Tailed Langur
- Delacour Langur
- Golden-Heated Langur
- Western Purple-Faced Langur
- Grey-Shanked Douc Langur
- Black Spider Monkey
- Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkey
- Variegated Spider Monkey
- Brown-Headed Spider Monkey
- Peruvian Yellow-Tailed Monkey
- Wooly Monkey
Conclusion
Monkeys are cool and fascinating animals! We learned so many amazing facts about them.
Monkeys have long tails that help them swing from tree to tree, just like superheroes! They love to eat yummy fruits and sometimes even bugs.
Monkeys are really smart and can use tools to help them get food. Some monkeys are big and strong, while others are small and cute. They live in different parts of the world, like jungles and forests.
Remember, it’s important to respect monkeys and their homes so they can stay happy and healthy.
