Monkeys
Monkeys can be divided into two types: the Old World Monkey and the New World Monkey. An Old World Monkey is also given the scientific name of a cercopithecoid and a New World Monkey may be known as a platyrrhine. People often confuse monkeys with other related species such as apes and lemurs but they are very distinct species in their own right.
One way to tell monkeys from other species can be their tails. A monkey may well have a specific tail; an ape, for example, may not. This distinction may not, however, always work as some Old World Monkeys don’t have any kind of obvious tail at all. There are many different types of monkey across the world. Some are relatively small; others grow to larger sizes.
All monkeys tend to display an almost human intelligence and curiosity which makes them firm favourites in the animal world with many humans. These animals can live in many different environments. We may assume that they all live in trees in jungles and forests but some species can thrive in other environments such as Savannahs, for example.
The diet of monkeys can also vary depending on where they live and what kind of monkey they are. Many will eat a near vegetarian diet surviving on fruits, nuts, seeds and leaves. Others may also eat meat, however, and will eat insects, small animals and eggs when they can find/catch them.
For most of us monkeys are a major attraction in zoos and animal parks. Their behaviour and antics make these animals fascinating to watch. The fact that they are often just as curious about us as we are about them makes them a favourite animal for many people, especially with children. It is also quite common to keep monkeys as pets nowadays.
Their intelligence has given many monkeys a closer connection with humans than other animals. In their time they have even been sent into space and some types of monkeys can be trained to help human beings who have some form of disability. Like guide dogs a monkey here can help an individual live independently and do what they need to.
Many species of monkeys are also used in lab and medical experiments - this is a practice that causes some controversy. Again, their intelligence and their connection to humans and human behaviour can make them valuable in testing and experimentation processes.