What types of monkeys live in Africa. Where can you find certain monkeys? Known places of residence. Monkey in the house: pros and cons

How many species of monkeys live on our planet, what do they eat, what are the features of their life? We read about all this and watch TV shows with pleasure. And this is not surprising, because we are descended from a common ancestor. We have a lot of similarities not only in appearance and skeletal structure, but also in behavior.

What types of monkeys are there?

Zoologists define two groups of primates, and these animals are classified according to them. They are divided into New World and Old World primates. The first group includes monkeys living in the Central and South America, and to the second - in Asia and Africa. And each group has its own distinctive features. New World monkeys have a tail with which they can hold on to branches while moving through trees, and a wide nose. The African and Asian primates very often there is no tail, but even if it is, the animals do not use it as some kind of fifth limb, their nose is narrow. These two groups include more than one hundred and sixty species of monkeys.

Primates of South and Central America

The following monkeys (species) live in this area: monkeys, tamarins, capuchins, squirrel monkeys (56 species), owl and night monkeys, titi, sakis and Uakaris (41 species), howler monkeys, spider and woolly monkeys.

African and Asian primates

These continents are home to the largest number of primates - more than 135 species. If you list all kinds of monkeys, the list will be huge. They are combined into broader categories: baboons, thin-bodied, colobus, mandrills, macaques. There is another category that includes the following types of great apes: gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan, bonobo (pygmy chimpanzee) and gibbon.

tamarins

These monkeys belong to the marmoset family. They live in the warmest regions of South America: Brazil, Costa Rica, the Tamarin basin is very easy to distinguish from other monkeys by the main distinguishing feature is the mustache, although there are also beardless representatives of this species. Some actually have lion's mane. And because of their very unusual appearance, these animals are constantly hunted - poachers catch tamarins for sale on the black market. That is why this species is threatened with extinction.

In length, the body of a tamarin reaches from eighteen to thirty-five centimeters, with a tail - from twenty-three to forty-four centimeters, they weigh up to a kilogram. If you list the types of small monkeys, then tamarins will head this list. Their main habitat is the highlands of Brazil. In these places, the monkeys feel great: soft humid climate, abundance of food. Tamarins live in small groups of 5-10 individuals, so it is easier for them to find food and defend themselves from predators. At night they sleep on tall trees and with the onset of the morning they begin to lead active image life: looking for food, looking after each other.

Tamarins are omnivores - they are happy to eat both lizards, snails, insects, bird eggs, and plant foods - tree leaves, fruits, nuts and nectar. The food obtained is equally distributed among all members of the flock. If a stranger gets into their territory, then they all kick him out together, making frightening grimaces. The young are taken care of by the whole group. Toddlers up to four months of age constantly move on the back of their father. The monkeys talk to each other all the time, thereby informing each other about the food found and about the approach of the enemy.

Monkeys

They belong to the monkey family. These are very small and funny monkeys. Types of monkeys: real and green, hussar, talapoin and others (23 in total). The body size is usually small (like a cat), the coat is thick and very soft. The color of these monkeys is very diverse: olive, gray-green, light gray, brown, red, blue, black. The muzzles are slightly elongated, some representatives of this species have mustaches, sideburns and beards. The tail is usually doubled longer than the body. Ischial calluses are small.

These primates live mainly in forests. Monkeys eat like plant food, and animal. The diet includes young tree branches and leaves, fruits, succulent grass, insects and small vertebrates. Monkeys flee from enemies. It should be noted that the greatest danger to them is the people who catch them for sale. Monkeys are well tamed, but for this you need to take cubs. An adult monkey, once in captivity, is practically impossible to train.

capuchins

This one combines more than thirty subspecies. The species of these primates form four groups. These monkeys live in Brazil and Honduras. Most of the time is spent on the tops of tall trees. The body length of the animal reaches fifty centimeters. The head is round, with prominent cheekbones. The color of the muzzle is usually pink or white color. On the top of the head there is a black crest, similar to a hood (in fact, because of this similarity, the animal got its name).

Primates live in groups of 10 to 30 individuals. Together they get food, defend themselves from enemies and take care of their offspring. Capuchins are omnivorous: they eat both plant and animal food. It should be noted that these monkeys are very smart. They can crack nuts with a stone, beat fruits on tree branches. Having caught, they clean off the mucus from it, wiping it on a tree. For up to three months, capuchin cubs spend all the time on their mother's back, crawling onto their chest to feed on milk. From the age of six months, they begin to lead a more independent lifestyle, eat adult food, but do not move far from their mother.

howler monkeys

Howler monkeys are the largest primates in the New World. They are the size of a dog. These monkeys have a long and very tenacious tail, which they constantly use when moving through the trees.

The body of the primate is covered with thick but short hair. Long hair only on the cone-shaped head. The jaw protrudes forward, somewhat similar to a dog's. The neck is very short, so it seems that it is absent altogether. These primates spend most of their lives in trees. During the day they climb under the very tops, where they look for food, and at night they go down lower, settling for the night in dense branches. small trees. Howler monkeys are very afraid of water, as they absolutely cannot swim.

Monkeys feed on tree buds, leaves, succulent shoots and fruits. Howler monkeys unite in flocks, which number from five to forty individuals. The female, as a rule, gives birth to one cub, which she feeds up to 18 months. Young and childless females help to look after the baby.

Baboons

The second name is yellow baboon. The length of the body reaches seventy-five centimeters, and the length of the tail is about sixty centimeters. The color of the coat is yellow - hence the name of the primate. Baboons live in Eastern and Middle Africa(in mountainous and steppe regions). They eat, like most primates, plant and animal food. The diet of baboons includes bulbs, succulent grass, fruits, nuts, insects, lizards, bird eggs, etc.

Baboons never live alone. The group includes up to eighty individuals. There is a clear hierarchy in the pack, several adult males dominate. In case of danger, they come to each other's aid. Friendly relations are established between males and offspring. The mature female cubs remain in the pack, but the young males are forced to leave. Interestingly, often herds of ungulates join a flock of yellow baboons. The fact is that baboons have very sharp eyesight, so they can warn of danger in time.

Mandrills

This is the most large view primates that do not belong to the group of great apes. They live in West Africa. Sexually mature males have a very beautiful and bright color. They have a bright pink nose and stripes on the muzzle. blue color. Females and young males do not have such a bright color. The weight of males sometimes reaches fifty-four kilograms. The females are much smaller.

The diet of primates includes both plant and animal food. Mandrills eat more than one hundred and thirteen species of plants.

These monkeys live in families, which include one male and ten to fifteen females. Each family is assigned a territory of fifty square meters, which they mark with an odorous secret. Pregnancy of females lasts two hundred and twenty days. Babies are born from April to December, at this time there is a lot of food, so the females have time to feed them. The bond between mother and calf lasts a very long time. Until the age of three, the baby comes to spend the night with his mother.

Gorillas

Gorillas are the largest great apes. These primates live in Africa. Until recently, the habitat of these monkeys was difficult to access. But the natives always knew about the neighborhood of these animals and tried not to meet them, believing that they have a ferocious disposition.

The growth of gorillas reaches almost two meters, and weight - from one hundred and forty to two hundred kilograms. The body is square. The color of wool and skin is black. As males age, the fur on their backs turns gray. Like all primates, gorillas are diurnal. These monkeys feed exclusively on plant foods. They prefer stems and leaves, but fruits make up a small proportion of the diet.

Gorillas have a very calm, even phlegmatic character, despite their intimidating appearance. The female mates only with the leader of the herd, the pregnancy lasts eight and a half months. At first, the cub rides on the mother's back, and then walks side by side, holding on to her fur. Life expectancy is thirty to thirty-five years, but some individuals live for half a century.

The rarest types of monkeys

The person is very disrespectful nature. Many animals were on the verge of extinction, including monkeys. Some species include such a small number of individuals that scientists around the world are sounding the alarm. Thus, the Society for the Protection of Animals took custody of drills - primates that are listed in the Red Book. The population of these animals has no more than ten thousand individuals. All monkeys (species do not matter) are exterminated by man at a catastrophic rate. And if this continues, the planet may lose these wonderful animals.

Pets

Currently, a domestic monkey is not at all uncommon. Many pet stores sell these exotic animals. But it should be borne in mind that not all types of primates take root well at home. Here are some types of domestic monkeys that adapt well to captivity: tamarins, monkeys, gibbons, marmosets, capuchins. These primates are unpretentious in content, but certain rules must be followed. So, they should have a spacious cage, proper nutrition. In no case do not hit the animal and do not shout at it, otherwise it will close in itself, be aggressive and boring. In bad conditions, monkeys die very quickly.

Monkey (anthropoid, the highest primate) is a mammal that is closest in structure to humans, belongs to the order of primates, the suborder of dry-nosed primates, the infraorder monkey-like (Simiiformes).

The origin of the Russian word “monkey” is quite interesting. Until the 16th century, the monkey in Russia was called “opitsa” - just as the Czechs call it now. At the same time, the Persians called the monkey "busine". According to one version, Afanasy Nikitin brought this name with him from his travels and used it in his work “Journey Beyond the Three Seas”. According to another version, the monkey got its name from the word "abuzina". At the same time, Ushakov's dictionary specifies that "abuzina" is translated from Arabic as "father of fornication".

Monkey - description, characteristics, structure, photo. What does a monkey look like?

The body length of an adult monkey can vary from 15 cm (for a pygmy marmoset) to 2 meters (for a male gorilla). The weight of the monkey also depends on the species. If the body weight of a small monkey barely reaches 150 grams, then individual gorillas weigh up to 275 kg.

Most arboreal monkey species have long backs, short and narrow chests, and thin hips.

Gibbons and orangutans have a wide chest, as well as massive pelvic bones.

Some monkeys have a long tail that exceeds the length of the body and acts as a balancer when moving through the trees.

Apes living on the ground are distinguished by a short tail, while the great apes do not have a tail at all.

The body of the monkeys is more or less covered with hair of various colors from light brown and red to black and white and gray-olive.

Adults sometimes turn gray over the years, and male monkeys even go bald in the same way as people.

Monkeys are characterized by mobile, well-developed upper limbs, endowed with 5 fingers, the phalanxes of which end in nails, as well as opposition of the thumb.

The extent to which the monkey's arms and legs are developed depends directly on the lifestyle.

Monkeys, most living on trees, have short thumbs, which makes it easy to fly from branch to branch with the help of limb swings.

But, for example, the feet of baboons are long and graceful, convenient for walking on the ground.

The vision of most monkeys is binocular, and the whites of the eyes are as black as the pupils.

The dentition is similar to the human, but narrow-nosed and broad-nosed monkeys differs. Narrow-nosed monkeys have 32 teeth, broad-nosed monkeys have 36.

The teeth of great apes are massive and have a complex root structure.

The brain of the monkey is well developed and has a complex structure.

Great apes have highly developed parts of the brain responsible for meaningful movements.

Monkeys communicate using a special signal system, consisting of facial expressions and sounds. Monkeys and capuchins are considered especially noisy and talkative.

Both ways of transmitting information in monkeys are well developed and can demonstrate the widest range of feelings, which is expressed, first of all, by rich facial expressions.

Monkeys live on almost all continents: in Europe (namely, in Gibraltar), in the south and southeast of Asia (in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula, in China, Japan), in Africa (except Madagascar), in the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, in Australia. Monkeys do not inhabit Antarctica.

Chimpanzee live in the countries of West and Central Africa: Senegal, Guinea, Angola, Congo, Chad, Cameroon and others.

Habitat macaques extends from hot Afghanistan to the countries of Southeast Asia, including Japan. In the territory North Africa and Gibraltar lives macaque magot, representing the family as a single species. Macaques live in Cambodia and Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines, not too large populations are found in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

Gorillas live in the equatorial forests of the western and central Africa. Populations are found in the Gambia and Cameroon, in Mauritania and Chad, inhabit Guinea and Benin.

orangutans live only in moist forests the islands of Kalimantan and Sumatra.

Monkeys howler monkeys live mainly in the countries of southern Mexico and Brazil, in Bolivia and Argentina.

Monkeys live in Southeast Asia, throughout the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent. In Europe, monkeys live only on Gibraltar.

Almost all varieties gibbons live only in the Asian region. Their natural range is the forest areas of India and Malaysia, the humid tropical thickets of Burma, Cambodia and Thailand, Vietnam and China.

Hamadryas (baboons) distributed almost throughout Africa, being the only primates living in the northeastern part of the continent (Egypt and Sudan). Baboons are also found on the territory of the Arabian Peninsula.

Habitat capuchins includes vast areas of wet rainforest from Honduras in the north of the range to the territory of southern Brazil and Venezuela in the south.

tamarins prefer to settle in the most warm regions Central America, in climate-friendly Costa Rica and in favorable South America - that is, almost throughout the entire area of ​​​​the fertile Amazonian lowland. Separate types tamarins feel great in Bolivia and in Brazil.

Monkeys baboons very widespread in the Middle and East Africa: live in Kenya and Uganda, in Ethiopia and Sudan, in the Congo and Angola.

Monkeys saki- Inhabitants of South America. Found in Venezuela, Colombia, Chile.

How do monkeys live?

Some monkeys live in trees: some prefer to live in the very crowns, others live in lower tiers, but leave their homes in case of emergency.

Terrestrial monkeys live in a certain individual area, but the borders are rarely guarded. Random confrontations between a dominant male and a lone male usually end in a visual display of superiority, and it rarely comes to a fight.

The average life expectancy of monkeys is 30-40 years, some monkeys live up to 50 years.

Monkeys are omnivorous animals, and the diet of each species depends on the habitat. Tree monkeys eat what can be obtained from trees: leaves, buds, young shoots, nuts, fruits. Sometimes insects are added to food.

Terrestrial monkeys have a much greater choice of food: they eat the rhizomes and shoots of plants, including ferns - a favorite delicacy of the gorilla.

All monkeys have a varied diet and, in addition to various sugary fruits (figs, mangoes,), they are happy to eat fish, shellfish, rodents, and everything else edible that they can find or catch.

Some species of monkeys eat a specific type of food: for example, Japanese short-tailed macaques eat only tree bark, crabs eat exclusively crabs, and marmosets extract and eat gum with their long incisors.

Chimpanzees, in addition to being the only monkey species capable of creating hunting equipment to facilitate the process of obtaining food, attack birds, small animals and medium-sized monkeys, including other chimpanzees.

But baboons always hunt in large groups, therefore they are one of the most dangerous predators of the jungle.

Types of monkeys, names and photos

The infraorder Apes is subdivided into 2 parvoorders:

  • broad-nosed monkeys(Platyrrhini), which includes species of monkeys that live in Central and South America.
  • narrow-nosed monkeys(Catarrhini) - species of monkeys living in Africa, Asia, 1 species lives in Europe (Gibraltar).

The modern classification identifies more than 400 species of monkeys or higher primates. Each type of monkey is individual in its own way, but they all have common features. Among the diversity of representatives of the order of primates, the following varieties of monkeys are of greatest interest:

  • (Alouatta caraya)

family member spider monkeys. The howler monkey makes characteristic roaring sounds that can be heard for 5 km. The males are covered with black wool, the female monkey is distinguished by a yellow-brown or olive color, the cubs are colored golden yellow. The length of the male monkey is 52-67 cm with a weight of 6.7 kg, the females are much smaller and grow up to 49 cm in size with a weight of 4.4 kg. The basis of the diet is fruits and foliage. The howler monkey lives in Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina.

  • Mourning capuchin(Cebus olivaceus)

species of monkeys from the chain-tailed family. The weight of the male monkey reaches 3 kg, the female is a third smaller. The color of the monkey is brown or light brown, with a grayish tinge, on the head there is a characteristic triangle of black hair. Inside the pack, infanticide is practiced - the deliberate killing of cubs, as well as grooming - the mutual sorting of wool. To protect themselves from blood-sucking insects, monkeys rub themselves with poisonous centipedes. Black capuchins are omnivorous and eat a variety of insects, small vertebrates, fruits, and young shoots of trees. They live in the crowns of the virgin forests of Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname.

  • Crowned monkey (blue monkey)(Cercopithecus mitis)

got its name due to the gray color with a blue tint and a white stripe of wool passing over the eyebrows like a crown. The body length of an adult is from 50 to 65 cm, body weight is 4-6 kg. The male monkey is distinguished by well-developed white whiskers and long fangs compared to females. This species of animal is widespread in the forests and bamboo groves of the African continent, from the Congo Basin to Ethiopia, Zambia and Angola.

  • White-handed gibbon (lar) (Hylobates lar)

species of great apes of the gibbon family. Adult monkeys of both sexes grow up to 55-63 cm in length and have a body weight of 4-5.5 kg. The color of the monkey's fur can be black, brown or sand, and the arms and legs are always white. The basis of the monkey's diet is fruits, leaves and insects. White-handed gibbons are monogamous and lead a predominantly arboreal lifestyle. tropical forests China and the Malay Archipelago.

  • eastern gorilla(Gorilla beringei)

the most big monkey in the world. According to famous zoologists, a giant male gorilla was killed by hunters at the beginning of the last century: his height was 2 m 32 cm. Usually, the size of a male monkey reaches 185 cm with a body weight of 160 kg (sometimes 220 kg). Gorilla females are much smaller, the body length of an adult is 150 cm and weighs 70-114 kg. Massive animals, characterized by a large head, broad shoulders, developed chest and long legs. The color of the coat is mostly black, in the subspecies of mountain gorillas it casts blue. A strip of silvery fur runs along the back of seasoned males. Monkeys feed on all parts of plants, less often on invertebrates and fungi.

  • Pale saki (white-headed saki)(Pithecia pithecia)

a species of broad-nosed monkeys with long and shaggy hair, rarely leaving the trees. The size of adult animals reaches from 30 to 48 cm in length, the male monkey weighs about 2 kg, the female monkey is slightly lighter. The black coat color of males contrasts markedly with white or pink faces. The females are black-gray or gray-brown and similarly pale. The monkeys' food consists of seeds and fruits from various trees native to Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil.

  • Hamadryl (frilled baboon)(Papio hamadryas)

a species of narrow-nosed monkeys of the genus baboons, spending their entire lives on earth. The body length of adult males is 70-100 cm with a weight of about 30 kg. The female monkey is 2 times smaller than the male. The male monkey is distinguished by the original location of the hairline: long hair on the shoulders and chest forms a kind of fur cape. The color of the fur resembles the color of dry grass, and the female monkey is colored darker. The diet of hamadryas is dominated by plant rhizomes, insects, worms and snails, as well as crops from nearby plantations. Hamadryla monkeys live in the open spaces of African and Asian countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Nubia, Yemen.

  • nosach, or kahau (Nasalis larvatus)

an animal from the subfamily of thin-bodied monkeys of the monkey family. The monkey lives exclusively on the island of Borneo, forming populations in the tropical forests of its coastal regions. The color of the nosed monkey is yellowish-brown, with a whitish undercoat. The hair on the limbs and tail of the monkey has gray shade, muzzle hairless, often bright red. The size of the mammal varies from 66 to 77 cm, with the monkey's tail being about the same length. The weight of a male is 15-22 kg, female monkeys are usually twice as light. A special difference between the proboscis is an unusual hanging nose. In males, with age, it grows to a huge size, so the monkey has to hold his nose to eat leaves, fruits or flowers of plants.

  • Japanese macaque ( Macaca fuscata)

a species of monkey, mainly living in the northern part of the island of Honshu. At the end of the last century, a small population of Japanese macaques was artificially settled in Texas, where today these animals feel great. The population living on Yakushima Island is usually classified as a separate subspecies - Macaca fuscata yakui, which is associated with some differences in the behavior and appearance of macaques. The height of the male Japanese macaque varies between 80-95 cm, weight - from 12 to 14 kg, the female monkey is slightly lower, and almost 1.5 times less in weight. The macaque monkey is the owner of bright red skin, which is especially noticeable on the muzzle and buttocks, which are completely devoid of wool. Thick wool has a dark gray color with a slight brown tint. The tail of the monkey is quite short, rarely exceeding a length of 10 cm. Japanese macaques usually choose forests, both tropical and located in mountainous areas, as their habitat. They are kept in groups, often reaching 100 individuals, where a strict hierarchy reigns. In the northern regions of Japan, where the snow cover lasts for 3-4 months and the average winter air temperature is -4-5 ° C, macaques survive frosty days in natural hot springs, basking in their thermal waters. Surprisingly, in order not to freeze wet on a hike for food, these resourceful monkeys make a duty schedule: while some individuals sit in warm water, others, with dry hair, bring them food. Monkeys feed on leaves and roots of plants, sweet fruits tropical trees, bird eggs, insects, mollusks and crustaceans, fish.

  • Sumatran orangutan ( Pongo abelii)

a species of monkey that lives exclusively on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The Sumatran orangutan is a fairly large animal. The growth of an adult male can reach one and a half meters or more with a weight of 150-165 kg. Females have somewhat smaller dimensions - their height does not exceed 1 meter, and their weight is 50-55 kg. Monkeys have well-developed muscles, a massive body covered with hard, reddish-brown hair, which is quite long in the shoulder area. The forelimbs of an orangutan in a span often reach 3 meters, the hind limbs are short, with wide, stable feet. The males of the Sumatran orangutan are distinguished by an unusual muzzle: clearly defined fatty rollers are located on the cheeks, and the beard and mustache give the animal a slightly funny look. The diet of the Sumatran orangutan is dominated mainly by plant foods - leaves, bark, nuts, sweet fruits, however, the monkey will not refuse to eat bird eggs and chicks, grasshoppers, spiders

  • common chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes)

a species of ape whose range spans tropical wooded areas and wet savannahs African continent especially its western and central parts. Sexually mature male chimpanzees reach a height of 140-160 cm, and monkeys weigh in the range of 65-80 kg. Females weigh 40-50 kg with a height of 120-130 cm. The body of animals is covered with very coarse, hard wool of a dark brown hue. Near the mouth and on the coccyx, the coat is partially white, but the feet, palms and muzzle of the monkey are completely devoid of it. common chimpanzees almost omnivorous, although the main part of the diet is still plant foods. These monkeys are happy to eat nuts and fruits, sweet potato leaves and tubers, feed on mushrooms and termites, feast on sweet honey, bird eggs and small vertebrates. It is not uncommon for a flock of chimpanzees to successfully hunt red colobuses (primates from the marmoset family) and even young ungulates, making up for the lack nutrients meat. Chimpanzee monkeys are the only primates that can create a semblance of tools that facilitate the process of obtaining food: they skillfully sharpen the ends of sticks and twigs, turning them into an imitation of a spear, use palm leaves as traps for insects, use stones as projectiles.

  • pygmy marmoset ( Cebuella pygmaea)

it is the smallest monkey in the world. Adults grow up to 10-15 cm in length and weigh from 100 to 150 g. They inhabit the forests of South America and feed mainly on tree sap.

Primates have always interested people more than other animals. This is largely due to Darwin's theory and the anthropological data of some species. Next, consider where the monkeys live, their varieties and features of the life cycle.

general information

In nature, there are several hundred species of primates, the most famous of which are anthropoids. The length of the torso of a monkey can vary from a few centimeters to two meters. As a rule, these animals lead an arboreal lifestyle, kept in groups. Omnivorous animals are active during the day. Preferences in plant or animal food depend on the habitat. Where do monkeys live? Consider the environment of their residence by families.

Igrunkovye and galagovye

The Igrunkovye family belongs to the most small mind primates. They are very active and mobile, live on trees, perform all important tasks during the day, and sleep in hollows of trees at night. The main food is fruits, seeds, birds and insects. Habitat regions - Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Colombia.

The nocturnal animals of the galago are very active jumpers. The main diet is fruits, other fruits, invertebrates. Habitat - Africa. It can be both dry regions with thorny bushes, and places with a tropical climate.

Anthropoid family

Next, consider where do monkeys live and what do they eat, most similar to humans? These animals can be short, medium or tall. The mass of animals is, depending on the genus and species, from five to three hundred kilograms. Distinctive features- Massive body build, long fore and short hind limbs. The head is rounded with a prominent front part. They also have a well-developed brain.

Mostly anthropoid primates live in tropical forests, lead a daily way of life, spend a lot of time on trees. Habitat regions - Equatorial Africa, Southeast Asia and adjacent island territories. Food - fruits of trees, parts of shrubs, insects, birds, small animals.

Gibbon

This family has the following features:

  • torso in length - from 450 to 900 millimeters;
  • body weight - from 8 to 13 kilograms;
  • original structure with especially elongated forelimbs;
  • primates have ischial callus;
  • animals have thick hair;
  • the color of the animals varies from cream to black or brown.

Gibbon families live mainly in tropical forests on trees, feed on leaves and fruits. Habitat - Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java, Indochina, Thailand, Burma.

Where do pygmy lemurs live?

The largest individuals of these animals reach 460 grams. They live in the eastern rainforests and western drylands. Depending on the region, the animals have a red-brown color or a gray tint. Many of these primates live on the island of Madagascar. Unlike most other monkeys, lemurs are night image life, mostly in trees. They build nests in the form of balls of foliage, use natural hollows as a dwelling. The animals usually feed on fruits and roots.

tarsiers

Below it is described where (in which country) monkeys of the tarsier family live, which are a transitional link between lemurs and lower species. Features of these animals:

  • small size - from 280 to 400 millimeters with a tail 6-25 cm long;
  • weight - 150 g (maximum);
  • the animals have a relatively large and very mobile head, which can be rotated 180 °.
  • short muzzle;
  • eyes - large bulging;
  • well developed heel;
  • the coat is velvety, reddish or gray in color;
  • a long elastic tail has a tassel at the end;
  • diet - vertebrates, insects, lizards, birds and eggs.

Habitat - Southeast Asia. Wherein certain kind occupies a specific territory (the islands of the Philippine, Sunda and Malay archipelago).

Arms

This family is represented by one species and is listed in the Red Book. Individuals are small in size, slender and somewhat elongated body, rounded head, shortened front part. The coat of monkeys is coarse, brown or black.

Where do monkeys of this family live? Their main habitats are bamboo and mangrove thickets, as well as the jungle. Primates are active at night, lead an arboreal lifestyle, sleep in hollows of trees or in their crowns. The main food is insects and larvae. A small species can be found only in Madagascar.

Monkeys

Features of this family:

  • the category includes eight genera of primates;
  • some of them are tailless;
  • the physique is different - from an elegant light body to a massive and overweight torso;
  • hind limbs shorter than front legs;
  • the hairline is long and silky;
  • wool covers the entire body, including the ischium, soles and hind legs.

Where do monkeys live? In the jungle, on open plains, rocky places. Mangroves are the main habitats of marmosets. Some of them lead an arboreal lifestyle, others move along the ground. During the day, the animals are active, at night they settle down for the night in caves or hollows of trees. Population regions - Southeast Asia, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Gibraltar.

capuchins

This is the most numerous species of primates (11 genera). Animals are medium and small in size, have a long hairy tail. Some individuals can use it as an organ of touch. The hairline of chain-tailed primates (capuchins) is thick and monochromatic. The front part of the head is shortened, the nostrils are clearly separated, big eyes have pronounced centuries.

These representatives of primates perfectly move through the trees, eat plant foods, but do not disdain insects, bird eggs and other small animals. Capuchin prey is held with the help of the front paws, the muzzle is able to express some emotions. Habitat - South and Central America, Argentina, Mexico.

Where does the spider monkey live?

This category of primates lives on the branches of trees, moves along them with the help of tenacious limbs. Animals live in families of up to twenty individuals, which are also divided into groups of 4-5 representatives. They lead a diurnal lifestyle, eat plant and animal food.

Depending on the species, the color of the coat of arachnid primates can vary from gray to black. The main habitat is Peru, Central, South America, Brazil, Bolivia. Above, we examined where many, many wild monkeys live. It is worth noting that, despite the beauty and visual good nature of some representatives of primates, in fact they can be cunning and very dangerous. In our country, you can look at monkeys in zoos located in large cities.

Monkeys are known to be very intelligent animals. There are about 280 of their species on the planet. And today we want to introduce you to a list with photos of ten monkeys that differ from the rest in their unusual appearance.

Tonkinsky Gulman

Tonkin Gulman - rare view primates found in various forests in southern China and northeast Vietnam. They live in groups of 4–27 individuals, led by females. These active and noisy monkeys most of their lives are spent in trees. The basis of their diet is shoots, fruits, flowers and bark. The length of the head and body of males of the Tonkin Gulman reaches 55–64 cm, females 47–59 cm. The weight of males is 6.5–7.2 kg, females 5.5–5.9 kg. Total individuals living in the wild are not known, but are thought to be fewer than 500 in Vietnam and 1400–1650 in China.


Proboscis is a species of monkey found in rainforests and mangroves along rivers exclusively on the island of Borneo. A distinctive feature of these unusual monkeys is their pear-shaped big nose which is found only in males. Nosachi live in groups of 10 to 30 individuals. They feed mainly on leaves and fruits, sometimes flowers of plants. The length of the head and body of males is 73–76 cm, females 54–64 cm. The weight of males is 16–22 kg, females 7–12 kg. Nosachi swim and dive well. They are considered the best swimmers of all primates. The species is endangered and is included in the list of the ugliest animals on the planet.


Eighth place in the list of the most unusual species of monkeys is occupied by the Nemean thin-bodied - a species of primates that inhabits various types of forests in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. They live in groups of up to 50 individuals. They feed mainly on young leaves, fruits, seeds and flowers. Most of the time is spent in the trees. Adult males reach an average weight of 11 kg, females approximately 8.4 kg. Their body length is 61–76 cm, tail length is 56–76 cm. Life expectancy is up to 25 years. They are in danger of extinction.


Baboon - a species of large monkeys, common in the semi-open mountainous and lowland areas of Angola, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia and Tanzania. This very agile monkey spends most of its time on the ground, where it keeps close to trees, where it sometimes spends the night. They live in herds of 20 to 200 individuals (80 on average). Their body length reaches an average of 75 cm, weight 20-25 kg. Life expectancy is 20–30 years. They feed on fruits, grains, bulbs, shoots, insects, small mammals. Baboons are often kept in zoos.


Roxellanus rhinopithecine is a species of primates found in a small area in mountainous and mixed coniferous-broad-leaved forests in southern and central China. These animals are among the most cold-resistant primates, for which the Chinese called them " snow monkeys". They spend almost their entire lives on trees and, at the slightest danger, climb onto their tops. They feed mainly (when there are no fruits) tree bark, pine needles and lichens. They live in groups of 9–18 animals. The length of their body is 57–76 cm, the length of the tail is 51–72 cm, the weight of males is 15–39 kg, and that of females is 6.5–10 kg. The species is under threat of extinction.


The orangutan is a highly intelligent species of large ape that lives only in the rainforests of the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. They spend most of their lives in trees, which they move with the help of long arms(span reaches 2 m), helping himself with his feet. They feed mainly on fruits and leaves of trees, sometimes insects, bird eggs, honey, nuts and bark. The growth of males can reach 1.5 m (usually less), body weight - 50–90 and even 135 kg. Females are much smaller - their height is about 1 m, weight 30–50 kg. Orangutans live up to 30 years. This species is endangered and listed in the International Red Book.

White-headed Langur


In fourth place in the ranking of the most unusual monkeys on the planet is the white-headed langur - one of the rarest primates in the world (the number is estimated at less than 70 individuals), found only in forests in southern China and northern Vietnam. They live in groups of five to nine animals, usually with one dominant male. They feed mainly on leaves, fruits, flowers and tree bark. The body length of males is 55–62 cm, females 47–55 cm. The weight of males is 8–9.5 kg, females 6–8 kg. Animals have an average lifespan of 25 years.

Gelada


Gelada is a rare species of monkey found only on the mountain plateaus in Ethiopia. They are social animals and live in groups of up to 70 individuals, which sometimes combine to form huge herds of up to 350 animals. All the time is spent exclusively on the ground. Never climb trees. They mainly feed on grass leaves, seeds and excavated underground stems and rhizomes, sometimes fruits and small invertebrates. The length of the head and body of males is 69–74 cm, females 50–65 cm. The weight of males reaches 20 kg, females 12–16 kg. Considered one of the most dangerous herbivores and the most loud monkeys in the world.


The Japanese macaque is the northernmost monkey that lives in various forests in the north of Honshu in Japan, where snow lies for up to four months and the average winter temperature is -5 ° C. During this period, Japanese macaques spend most of their time in hot springs. They live in groups of 20 to 100 individuals with a strict hierarchy. The length of their body reaches 79–95 cm. The weight of males is 10–14 kg, females - 5.5 kg. Japanese macaques Omnivorous, they feed mainly on fruits, leaves, seeds, plant roots, fungi, as well as insects, fish, bird eggs, and small vertebrates. Interestingly, this monkey, along with humans and raccoons, is the only animal that washes food before eating it.


by the most unusual view monkeys in the world is a spectacled thin-bodied, common in the forests of Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. They live in groups of 5 to 20 animals. Almost never come down to the ground. They prefer to stay in the upper tiers of trees (at heights of 35 meters or higher). They feed mainly on leaves, a variety of fruits and flowers. Able to eat up to 2 kg per day. The length of their body is 42–61 cm, the length of the tail is 50–85 cm. On average, an adult male of a spectacled slender body weighs 7.4 kg, a female 6.5 kg.

In any zoo, monkeys are the most popular. If you stand and watch these animals, you will soon be convinced that the behavior of monkeys is very similar to ours.

Monkeys are large and small. The smallest monkey pygmy marmoset(Cebuella pygmaea), the length of her head and body is about 15 cm. The largest is the gorilla: it grows up to 1.85 m. The tail may be completely absent; however, some monkeys also have a tail that is longer than their body. For example, the body of a gulman (Presbytis entellus) is 50-70 cm long, and the tail is 65-100 cm. Its close relative, the golden-chocolate snub-nosed monkey, has a body length of 50-80, and the tail is up to 104 cm. The marmoset is not only the smallest, but and the lightest monkey; it weighs only 100 g. And the heaviest of the monkeys is the gorilla. An adult male gorilla can weigh up to 275 kg, that is, approximately 3000 times more than his little relative.

The brains of monkeys are well developed. Many have a round head or a forward muzzle. The eyes are directed forward; ears are most often similar to human ones. The facial muscles are well developed, so the monkeys have facial expressions. A particularly important feature in monkeys is their arms and legs, which they cleverly use. The tail often serves as another tool for grasping. Under the guidance of researchers, some monkeys even learn to perform complex actions - often requiring a certain understanding.

Monkeys live in pairs and in small or large groups. They can breed throughout the year. They usually have only one cub, which they raise for a long time. The maximum age of monkeys is from 10 to 40 years. Biologists divide monkeys into two large groups - monkeys from the New and Old Worlds. Monkeys from the New World live exclusively in Central and South America. These include about 50 species of medium size. They all live in trees and are active during the day. New World monkeys include durukuli (Aotus), uakari (Cacajao), saki (Pithecia), saimiri (Saimiri), woolly (Lagothrix), howler monkeys (Alouatta), capuchins (Cebus) and arachnids (Ateles). The largest of them is arachnid, reaching a length of more than 60 cm and having an almost meter-long grasping tail.

Monkey gycap

Monkeys from the Old World are common in Africa and in southern regions Asia. In the extreme south of Spain lives the only barbary monkey in Europe. About 80 belong to the Old World monkeys. different types, among them rhesus macaques (M. mulatto.), baboons, hussar monkeys, langurs (Presbytis) and proboscis (Nasalis). Two more important groups belong to monkeys from the Old World: small great apes - gibbons and great great apes - orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees. Along with monkeys from the New and Old Worlds, biologists also include semi-monkeys in this order. They represent a transitional stage between insectivorous mammals and actually monkeys.

Living in Africa, Southeast Asia and Madagascar, lower primates, or semi-monkeys, form 6 families: blunt-like, lemurs, indrisids, bats, lorizids and tarsiers. The semi-monkeys include animals with such exotic names as maki, catta, sifaki, indri, loris, potto or galago. The smallest of the half-monkeys - mouse lemur, whose body length is 11 cm, weight 50 g. The largest is the indri, which, when it stands on its hind legs, reaches a height of 93 cm. Almost all semi-monkeys - forest dwellers, feed on plants. During the day they sleep, and at night they go in search of food; They have very large eyes and a highly developed sense of smell.

Gorillas, especially old males, inspire respect in any observer. However, despite their size and strength, they are peaceful inhabitants of the forests, feeding exclusively on plants. Animals are kept by families under the leadership of an old male with a silver stripe on his back. The day for gorillas begins with the fact that they immediately start eating after waking up and eat for 2-3 hours. Towards noon they settle down to sleep again, sometimes waking up to eat again. Toward evening, the gorillas again go in search of food. With the onset of twilight, the leader begins to build his nest for the night. Others follow his example. Unfortunately, the future of these large apes looks sad. How many gorillas are left in the forests, no one knows, estimates differ: some naturalists say that several hundred, others - several thousand.

Mandrill belongs to the monkey family, its close relatives are baboons. He lives in dense forests and roams there in groups consisting of one adult male and several females with cubs. The group can consist of 20 animals.

On the muzzle of the male mandrill, a bright red and blue pattern is noticeable. Such a motley muzzle is clearly visible among the dense trees. And it is important that all members of the group stick together.

Monkeys are medium-sized representatives of the Old World monkeys. They have a very long tail, a moderately elongated and rounded muzzle, and small and round ears. The coat is thick and long. Often sideburns or a beard are formed around the muzzle. There are 15 species of monkeys, and they all live in Africa. The most common type is green monkey.

"Orangutan" means "forest man" in Malay. Orangutans were first described by Western researchers at the beginning of the 18th century. They arrived in Europe in 1776. However, almost nothing was known about the life of orangutans in nature for a long time. Everything has changed quite recently. Since the 1970s, extensive research programs have been carried out. The great ape roams the dense tropical forests of Asia and, unlike the gorilla and chimpanzee, lives alone.

frolic baby orangutan

With age, large growths in the form of rolls of fat grow on the cheeks of oratugpan males. The orangutan rarely descends from the trees. With the help of long arms, he deftly jumps from branch to branch. With the onset of evening twilight, he builds himself a large nest of leaves, and often with a roof from the rain, on a fork in the boughs. This sleeping nest is only used for one night. The next morning, the orangutan gets up and slowly moves on. Finding a tree with fruits, he climbs it and has lunch. Sometimes he settles down and takes a nap.

The existence of orangutans is under threat today. Forests in Indonesia are being cut down and the "forest man" is rapidly losing its habitat. If serious measures are not taken, then soon orangutans will remain only in zoos. Reserves, settling in tropical rainforests, help protect many other species of animals and plants that are threatened with extinction.

Baboons are monkeys with a long muzzle, which justifies their name "dog-headed". They stay mainly on the ground and only in danger climb trees or rocks. Powerful fangs allow adult males to defend themselves from enemies. Even leopards are afraid of them.

For the time of sleep, baboons retire to the trees, and at dawn they descend again to search for food. They bypass their territory, doing 5-20 km per day. By evening, they again go to rest in the trees. If there are no trees, then they sleep on the eaves. sheer cliffs.

Baboons live in large herds of 40-80 individuals, but sometimes you can find a herd consisting of 200 individuals. The basis of the herd is females with cubs, an adult male looks after him. He tolerates growing males in his herd, but keeps them in obedience.

The largest of the baboons is the chakma, or bear baboon (Pargo ursinus). In this species, the body length of males reaches 1.15 m, and the weight is 30 kg. Chakma lives in South Africa.

Its close relative is the baboon hamadryas (P. hamadryas), which lives in Ethiopia, northern Somalia, northeastern Sudan and southwestern Arabia. In ancient times, hamadryas were also found in the Nile Valley. The ancient Egyptians highly revered him and dedicated him to the sun god Ra, and animal corpses were often mummified. Sexually mature males of hamadryas are decorated with whiskers and a silvery mantle (mantle) with a hair length of up to 25 cm. That is why they are sometimes called "cloaked baboons".

Chimpanzees belong to the family of great apes, their closest relatives are the gorilla and the orangutan. Like both of these species, chimpanzees also live in the forest. They roam their territory in small groups. In the morning, the monkeys eat for two hours, then rest for half a day, and in the evening they again go in search of food. Chimpanzees spend the night in nests, which are built each time new ones.

Barbary monkey, or magot (Masas sylvanus)

Value 60-70 cm body length. Shoulder height 45-50 cm. Weight: females up to 12 kg; males up to 15 kg
signs A bare, wrinkled face, reddish, thick whiskers on the cheeks, short ears. There is no tail. The fur is thick, long, light brown
Nutrition Fruit, leaves, grass and roots; in addition, insects, worms, scorpions and small vertebrates
reproduction Pregnancy 146-180 days; 1 cub, rarely 2; newborn weight about 450 g
habitats Shrubs on rocks and hills at an altitude of 600-2000 m; Algiers, Morocco; in Europe it is found only in Gibraltar in southern Spain (presumably they were brought there)


What else to read