Monkeys are considered one of humanity’s closest relatives, and most of us believe we know a lot about these “relatives.” However, the following information may surprise you about these intelligent and lively animals.

Interesting Facts About Monkeys

1. The origin of the word “monkey” is unclear. It may derive from the name “Moneke,” the son of Martin Ape in a medieval fable. It is also related to the Dutch word for dwarf, “Manneken.”
2. There are currently 264 species of monkeys.
3. Monkeys can be divided into two groups: Old World monkeys, which live in Africa and Asia, and New World monkeys, which inhabit South America.
4. A Baboon is an example of an Old World monkey, while a capuchin monkey is a type of New World monkey.
5. Some monkeys live on the ground, while others dwell in trees. Different species of monkeys consume a variety of foods such as fruits, insects, flowers, leaves, and reptiles.
6. Most monkeys have tails.
7. The world’s smallest monkey species has adult males weighing between 120 to 140 grams, while the largest monkey species can have adult males weighing up to 35 kg.
8. Capuchin monkeys are considered one of the smartest New World monkey species. They can use tools, learn new skills, and display various signs of self-awareness.
9. Monkeys understand the concept of bias. They can also weigh options and make decisions based on preferences, unaffected by social or economic norms.
10. To communicate, monkeys use facial expressions, sounds, and body movements.



11. The brain structure of monkeys is similar to that of humans. Recent studies have revealed that the human brain shares many similarities with that of monkeys, with both used to control language and complex thoughts, processing problems in similar ways.
12. Monkeys express affection and social bonding through grooming each other.
13. Common habitats for monkeys include trees, grasslands, mountains, forests, and high plains.
14. Monkeys carry diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and herpes simian virus.
15. Most monkeys are omnivorous, consuming both plant and animal matter, with some even eating refuse.
16. New World monkeys have 36 teeth, while Old World monkeys have 32.
17. Titi monkeys are monogamous and become distressed when a mate dies. They show affection through kissing, cuddling, holding hands, and grooming.
18. The largest monkeys are howler monkeys, whose calls can be heard up to three miles in open areas and two miles in the forest. They spend 80% of their time resting.
19. Monkey language is as complex as human language. New research indicates that monkey language is more intricate than previously thought, with many variations that allow them to create complex sentences from simple sounds.
20. Red Colobus and Olive Colobus monkeys are hunted for meat by humans and chimpanzees.
21. Squirrel monkeys can produce over 20 different sounds.
22. By urinating on lower-ranking monkeys, South African monkeys assert their dominance.



23. Proboscis monkeys have been voted the ugliest animals on the planet, ranking third in ugliness. Their large, pot-belly stems from a multi-chambered stomach, each chamber containing different enzymes for digesting food. They spend all day foraging for leaves, which leads to their increasingly large stomachs.
24. Their large nose, which can reach up to 18 cm, is used by proboscis monkeys to attract females and can produce sounds audible for hundreds of miles.
25. New World monkeys, which lack opposable thumbs, include spider monkeys and squirrel monkeys.
26. As of 2008, there were 81 species of New World monkeys in the Amazon River basin, with new species still being discovered.
27. Old World monkeys possess large cheek pouches that allow them to quickly consume and store food for later digestion.
28. There are 96 species of Old World monkeys.
29. Monkeys do not eat banana peels.
30. Monkeys can be easily distinguished from apes. Monkeys have tails, while apes do not.
31. The spider monkey has an unusual tail capable of supporting its entire body weight.
32. Do not attempt to touch a monkey, as they do not appreciate it and may attack.
33. Monkeys are intelligent animals with an IQ of 174.



34. Monkeys share a common ancestry with humans. Previously, there were many beliefs that monkeys were ancestors of humans, which sparked debates in both scientific and religious communities. However, scientists now affirm that monkeys and humans share a common ancestry, belonging to the primate order. Among them, chimpanzees are considered the closest relatives to humans, having diverged from Old World monkeys around 25 million years ago.
35. Monkey meat is considered a “superfood“! In Eastern countries, monkey flesh is seen as a “superfood” that boosts vigor and nourishes the blood. In traditional Chinese medicine, monkey bones are used to create remedies for various ailments, though the real benefits of monkey meat remain a topic of medical debate.
36. Monkeys serve as valuable assistants to humans. In Thailand’s coastal province of Surat Thani, locals have developed a unique method of harvesting coconuts by training monkeys for the task. Monkeys are meticulously trained to avoid ropes and identify ripe coconuts.
37. Monkeys are revered as “monkey gods.” In Indian belief systems, the famous monkey deity Hanuman wields a mace and symbolizes bravery. Hanuman is a central character in two of India’s great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
38. A copyright dispute arose over a “selfie” taken by a monkey. The Wikimedia website rejected a photographer’s claim to remove a photo he asserted was used without permission, on the grounds that the copyright belonged to the monkey.
39. Bonobos are often referred to as “promiscuous monkeys.” In this species, females use sex for multiple reasons: to relieve stress, resolve conflicts, and even to form alliances among females against males.



40. The flat-nosed monkey in Myanmar has the smallest population. This species is excellent at predicting storms, often sneezing when rainwater enters their nostrils. However, this occurs frequently due to their upturned noses.
41. Officially known as Presbytis hosei canicrus, this monkey species is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to habitat loss from agricultural expansion, mining, deforestation, and overhunting. This monkey is believed to only inhabit the forests of northeastern Borneo, bordering Indonesia’s Java Island.
42. Monkeys can remember faces. Studies show that both humans and monkeys can recognize faces, using holistic processes to identify a face.
43. Monkeys have the ability to recall memories. Research indicates that monkeys can remember events similarly to humans. Scientists have tested monkeys and concluded that their memory is comparable to that of humans.



44. Snow monkeys in northern Japan have thick fur to keep warm and live near hot springs. Social hierarchy among snow monkeys is determined by their positions and seating order while soaking in the hot springs.
45. The Tarsier monkey is a nocturnal animal with large eyes, almost the size of its brain, allowing it to see well at night.