Monkeys are cute and charming creatures that you can enjoy forever. They belong to the higher primates. Surely you have heard this word more than once, but do you know its meaning? The word "primate" can be translated as "first", although the monkeys are superior to other animals only better intelligence. As for dexterity, scent, vision and hearing, in many other species they are at a higher level.
Monkey Basics
There are many different species of these animals, but they are much similar to each other. All of them have a pair of arms and legs (like a human), a tail or something similar to it. The thumbs of the monkeys are located at a decent distance from the rest, so that they can easily climb trees. Almost all of these animals are omnivorous, but they eat a lot of things that a person (also a primate, by the way) would not like. These are insects, and fruits, and bird eggs, and grains, and leaves, and grass. There is also evidence that they eat even crustaceans.
Longevity and habitat
How many monkeys live? It depends on the species. Some live only up to 20 years, while others - up to 60. In this they are very different, but what else unites them? The first thing that comes to mind is that, without exception, all monkeys can cleverly move from one branch to another. Just imagine: some species do not climb down a tree all their lives. For example, a royal beast living in Africa can only eat flowers and leaves. And what, a completely healthy diet.
But there are monkeys who prefer to live only on earth, and the trees are completely ignored. An example is baboons. Where do monkeys of this species live? They gather in groups of 250-300 individuals and constantly "travel", without lingering for a long time in one place. Older males go first, while younger males make a column. Their task is to protect the herd from enemies. There are also individuals who tend to stay away; they walk at a certain distance from the column. Baboons are very close-knit and courageous animals. For example, if a leopard is preparing to attack a monkey that has lagged behind the column, 150 people can run into its cry. Of course, the leopard becomes uneasy from such an army. But other species are not bold and in any danger scatter in different directions and jump on trees.
Where do the monkeys live?
They mainly live in the Asian, African and South American subtropical and tropical regions. As for South America, there the area of primates spreads from the northern part of Argentina to the southern part of Mexico. It is impossible not to recall Africa, where monkeys live. This country (especially a little south of the Sahara) is simply teeming with them. Contrary to popular belief, monkeys do not live in Madagascar, only lemurs live there. Let's talk about Asia. There, most monkeys can be found in the southeastern as well as southern parts. The range extends up to Timor and Japan. One species of monkeys (magoth) lives in Europe, and more specifically, in Gibraltar. It is believed that he was brought here by people.
As you already understand, most monkeys live among trees, mainly in forests (any: mountain, wet, etc.). Some species live both on branches and on the ground, for example gelada.
Where do snow monkeys live?
It is believed that all these animals adore a warm climate and can not live in the cold. If we talk about the vast majority of monkeys, then this is true. But do not forget about exceptions.
Snow monkeys live on the large island of Honshu in Japan. We can say that they are very seasoned - they are not afraid of the cold.
Snow monkeys live in Igodukani (the so-called famous reserve). If you translate this name into Russian, it will mean "Hell Valley". This area is notable for its great natural diversity: here there is ice, and hot water, and geysers. The monkeys living here have a very impressive thick hair, which makes them seem quite thick and powerful, although this is not so.
These animals do not suffer much from the cold, but of course it is unpleasant for them to freeze, and therefore they plunge into a hot spring and sit there long enough. Where monkeys of this species live, there are areas on which steam beats from under the ground, in some way such a place resembles a bathhouse. Primates love to sit there and bask. Only in the late afternoon, when it gets a little warmer, animals crawl out of the water and move away from the steam to dry. Also at this time they eat.
Snow monkeys like to delve into the hair of relatives, so that it dries faster. But other species often do the same. From the outside it seems that they choose fleas, although this is not true. Monkeys are clean, they do not have these insects in their hair. In fact, this action is a demonstration of gratitude and love to their relatives.
What do these animals eat?
What do snow monkeys eat? Indeed, fruits do not grow in the snow. Well, monkeys are used to doing without them. They trample the tracks in the snow and follow them in a row, taking roots, berries, leaves, insects from the snowdrifts. They also eat needles, tree buds and bark.
Now you know where the monkeys live, what they eat and how they behave.