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MONKEY FACTS for Kids – Fun Educational Video about Monkeys for Preschoolers, Toddlers

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© Uryadnikov Sergey/Fotolia

Monkeys and apes are both primates, which means they're both part of the human family tree. As distinguished relatives, we should probably be able to tell them apart. But when you look at a gibbon or a marmoset, how do you know which is a monkey and which is an ape?

The quickest way to tell the difference between a monkey and an ape is by the presence or absence of a tail. Almost all monkeys have tails; apes do not. Their bodies are different in other ways too: monkeys are generally smaller and narrow-chested, while apes are larger and have broad chests and shoulder joints that allow them to swing through trees (while some monkeys also have this ability, most of them are built for running across branches rather than swinging). Although you can't recognize this difference on sight, apes have an appendix and monkeys do not. Apes are generally more intelligent than monkeys, and most species of apes exhibit some use of tools. While both monkeys and apes can use sounds and gestures to communicate, apes have demonstrated higher ability with language, and some individual apes have been trained to learn human sign languages.

However, perhaps the best way to remember, like with so many things, is rote memorization. There are only a handful of ape species, while there are hundreds of species of monkeys. If the primate you're trying to place is not a human, gibbon, chimpanzee, bonobo, orangutan, or gorilla (or a lemur, loris, or tarsier), then it's a monkey.

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What's the Difference Between Monkeys and Apes?

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Monkeys and apes are both primates, which means they're both part of the human family tree. As distinguished relatives, we should probably be able to tell them apart. But when you look at a gibbon or a marmoset, how do you know which is a monkey and which is an ape?

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General information

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Monkeys are clever, social animals. They are known for running and leaping through trees with ease. Like apes and humans, monkeys belong to the group of mammals called...

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Monkey Eating Habits

The feeding habits of Monkeys are very interesting. What they will consume depends on the species. However, there are many common elements that they all seem to follow along. Such patterns of behavior are the result of their physical needs, mental abilities, and the habitat that they happen to live in.

For most Monkeys fruit is the primary food that they will consume. There are hundreds of types of fruits found in the forests where they live. These fruits though are seasonal and so they move around their home habitat to find them. They are able to calculate what will be readily available during particular times of the year.

They often spread seeds too from the fruits as they move along. This is part of why the Monkey is so important to the habitat. The spreading of the seeds helps to insure future vegetation will be able to grow. Plants and leaves are all over their locations too. They will eat them when they can't find fruit.

Twigs and dry bark may be part of the diet as well. Most Monkey species though wait until the dry season when their other sources of food have disappeared. Then they will eat what they have to in order to survive. Many trees have sap and that too will be something for them to consume. As they venture out they may find flowers that they would like to consume too.

Bugs and insects can be part of the diet for the Monkey. With some species there are certain times when that is all they will feed on for several months at a time. Feeding is a very important aspect of the social life for Monkeys too. When food is plentiful they are usually timid and get along well within their groups. A lack of food though can create high levels of stress.

Sometimes the groups that are large will have to break down into smaller ones. That will allow them to venture out and to find food so that they can survive. Some of the Monkeys will get on the ground and eat dirt if there is absolutely no food for them to consume. Mating will come to a halt as well when there isn't adequate food supplies.

The mothers need to have enough food so that their bodies can produce milk for the young. The amount of time they will feed this way depends on the species. With some it is a few weeks and with others it is more than a year. As with human children small amounts of solid food will be introduced along the way until they are completely weaned.

Some species of Monkeys are able to use tools such as sticks and rocks to help them with feeding. They crush the shells on seafood and some vertebrates. They can use sticks to help them get to sources of food such as ants or termites that are inside of trees.

Many people wonder if Monkeys need to drink water. They consume it mainly from what they eat. The fruits and the leaves that they eat in their natural environment contain lots of water. However, some species have been know to go drink water from rivers and streams.

They don't drink it like most animals do though. Instead of using their tongue to lap it up they use their had and make a cup. They may use large leaves too and fold them to create a cup that they can drink out of. They are certainly very creative in the wild when it comes to getting their nutritional needs met.

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The feeding habits of Monkeys are very interesting. What they will consume depends on the species. However, there are many common elements that they all seem to follow along. Such patterns of behavior are the result of their physical needs, mental abilities, and the habitat that they happen to live in.

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New World and Old World Monkeys

You may have heard plenty about New World Monkeys and Old World Monkeys. Yet it can be confusing to try to figure out what the differences are. Here is some information about them to help clarify the categories. You will also have information about how these two groups of Monkeys are the same.

First, some history about when this all started. It is believed that approximately 40 million years ago there was a significant split among the Monkeys in the world. They New World Monkeys were living in South America and the Old World were living in Africa along with the Apes.

It is believed that the New World Monkeys began the process of migrating to South America. They may have floated there on rafts that they created out of various forms of vegetation. Giving the high level of intelligence of these animals it could have been the result of any number of things that they used to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

Of course the level of water and the overall vegetation was very different at that time than it is today. You can't imagine them trying to do something like that with today's design but it would have been very possible back then. Odd features such as a stub for a thumb or even no thumbs are also common among Old World Monkey species. You don't find those variations with the New World species.

Old World Monkeys tend to be larger in overall size. They have fingernails that are flat instead of sharp. They also have nostrils that are narrow and point downward. The checks feature padding in them. They also have buttocks without hair but with padding that they can sit on. They can be found both in the trees and on land. Two common Monkeys that fit this category are the Baboon and the Snow Monkey.

New World Monkeys spend most of their time or even their entire lives in the trees. This is why they need longer nails that are also very sharp. They don't have the cheek pouches or the padding on the buttocks. They have wider nostrils that are round in shape. Two common species here are the Callimicos and the Marmosets.

Old World Monkeys are only able to see the world in Black and White. However, New World Monkeys see in color just like humans do. It is believed that a genetic mutation over time is what allowed for this significant change to occur. However, all Monkeys seem to have good eyesight regardless of if they are able to see color or not.

It is believed that the amazing care we see the Monkey young receiving is part of the New World Monkey habits. This is an area of great debate though. There are many experts that believe all primates have the desire to be able to care well for their young and to form strong bonds. Others though feel that the intelligence of these animals matured over time as did their parental instincts.

Regardless of whether they belong to the New World or the Old World, all Monkeys are fascinating creatures. They all have tails, fur, and they have large ears. They may be different sizes and they may have different habits when it comes to their social structure. Yet there is no denying that they all have characteristics that will forever bind them. Some of the Monkeys have been able to evolve over time and continue adapt to new environments. Others though tend to have problems due to their natural environment being depleted at a rapid pace.

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You may have heard plenty about New World Monkeys and Old World Monkeys. Yet it can be confusing to try to figure out what the differences are. Here is some information about them to help clarify the categories. You will also have information about how these two groups of Monkeys are the same.

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Did you know that a monkey is a primate and they belong to the suborder of Haplorhines?

Now that's a big word to get your head around!

Species of Monkey

There are around 260 monkey species in the world. Most of them live in trees except for a few who seem to prefer the ground like baboons.

In general, monkeys are thought of as highly intelligent animals.

Do you think they're as clever as us? Here are some facts about the different species of monkey.

Most species of monkeys have tails except for the mighty ape. There are around 260 monkey species in the world. Most of them live in trees except for a few who seem to prefer the ground like baboons.

There are a few characteristics that are shared by most species. For example there are New World Monkeys and Old World monkeys.

New World monkeys have tails that can grasp and hold things, but Old World monkeys don't have this.

That's pretty cool having such a strong and handy tail!

It's quite easy to see the difference between Old World and New World monkeys just by their faces, which look rather different from each other.

The only things that are similar are their noses, cheeks and forward facing eyes.

Old World monkeys are found in Africa and New World monkeys are found in South America.

Apes are sometimes mistaken for monkeys but they actually aren't monkeys.

How Big Are Monkeys?

The length of monkeys range from 5 to 6 inches (140 to 160 mm) including their tails.

They weigh about 4 to 5 ounces, which is about 120 to 140 grams.

But there are some bigger species too that are 3.3 feet long (1 meter) and can weigh up to 77 pounds (35 kilograms).

What Do Monkeys Eat?

Monkeys of all types have completely different diets, but the most common food that all of them eat are seeds, flowers, eggs, fruits, leaves, nuts, and small insects including spiders.

They'll pretty much eat anything that smells good, or bad...

They are very, very sociable and they have a mostly friendly attitude towards humans. Some of them though are a bit naughty as they can cause a lot of damage to crops. They're seen as pests.

Monkeys mostly live in jungles.

Related: check out why gorillas are Kings of the Jungle!

Gorillas are the Kings of the Jungle

Spider Monkeys and Proboscis

Howler monkeys live in groups known as troops. In the group, only one male monkey is known to howl in the morning.

Monkeys are loud, very loud! You can hear the booming sound of monkeys from about 1 mile (1.6 km) away.

One of the monkey species is called a spider monkey. Want to know why? Well this is because it has a really long tail and spidery limbs.

Imagine a monkey looking like a spider! They can walk on two legs across the tree tops. Cool! Their tail also helps them to swing, just like Tarzan!

The monkeys with the longest noses are called proboscis.

They are only found on the south of the continent of Australia and the island of Borneo.

Monkeys are very sneaky sometimes! In cities like Bangkok they like to steal food from wherever they can find it. Watch out if you're ever there!

Now this is quite something...monkeys have feelings, just like us. They can feel love, fear, and compassion.

They can also hate things too...so be aware and make sure to keep on their good side.

This is cute. Monkeys hold hands and groom each other with lots of affection and love.

Larger monkeys are strong and super speedy. They have sharp claws that can actually kill.

Monkeys in Groups

Monkeys work in groups when they're on the hunt for some yummy food.

There's always a leader who gathers the food, while the other monkeys stand guard.

They speak their own language and alert each other to danger.

But sometimes a leader will be a bit of a liar. If he's found some food he likes, he'll warn the others that there's danger and keep it all for him. That's not so cool.

Now you know all about the world of monkeys!

They are super cute, yet super naughty too. But remember they're very clever, so watch out.

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Interesting Monkey Facts For Kids [year] (Must Read!)

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Did you know that a monkey is a primate and they belong to the suborder of Haplorhines? Now that's a big word to get your head around! There are around 260 monkey species in the world. Most of them live in trees except for a few who seem to prefer the ground like baboons.

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Cool Facts About Monkeys | Things You Wanna Know

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6 monkey facts