Monkeys of the Tropics, Expert Climbers

The name "monkey" refers to a great number of species of primates that have grasping hands, front facing eyes and highly developed brains. Most monkeys have tails unlike their larger cousins in the ape family. Monkeys generally spend most of their time in living in trees and many can use their tail (prehensile) to help them climb, much like a fifth limb. Not all monkeys are tree dwellers the Ringtail Lemur are one that lives most of its life on the forest floor.

Monkeys are common to central and South America, Africa and southern Asia, where they need the warmer climates and can very rarely survive in the wild where the temperature dips down to very cold levels. One exception to this is the Japanese Macaque this is one monkey that has adapted to survive the cold winters on the Japanese island of Honshu.

Old World Monkeys (Africa & Asia) include; Lemurs, Baboons, Langurs, Guenons and Macaques. New World (tropical America) include; Capuchin, Spider, Wooly and Howler Monkeys. This is a short list of the nearly 160 species in the world.

Intelligence and Unity

The Monkey is probably the closest relative of man. Most Monkeys have opposable thumbs, to help them grasp, the ability to remember hidden food stashes as well as the intelligence to realize the thoughts of another being, that is to say they can act or react not just by instinct but by knowing primate nature.

Monkeys survive on a varied diet some species like the Howler Monkey feed mostly on leaves, while others enjoy nuts and berries and even bird eggs and small animals.

Monkeys are not generally solitary animals and can live in groups the size of which have no real limits they will forage for food together and defend their territory as a group.

Endangered Species

Too many of the worlds primates are endangered like the rare lion tailed macaque of Asia that hovers on the brink of extinction. Monkeys list of predators is great. Animals like cheetahs and lions, Birds of prey also have a taste for certain Monkeys, though the biggest problem faced is deforestation. The common need far all primates is a lush tropical habitat with out which we will soon lose more animal species than we can bear.

Please visit our collection of Wild Republic Plush Monkeys.