Monkeys! Well, who needs an introduction to these cheeky, mischievous creatures? They steal our food, chill out in our backyards and even create chaos in our temples. But, have you ever tried to take a peek into their world and understand more about these primates? Today, we will help you do just that by introducing you to the different types of Monkeys and their characteristics.

With over 334 monkey species in their kingdom, the world of Monkeys is not as simple as we perceive it to be. Since they are the closest relatives to humans, it makes sense to get close and personal with them and get to know what they eat, how they live etc.

Ready for some serious Monkey business? Read along!

What is a Monkey? & It’s Types:

A monkey is a 4 legged primate that has a long tail and a flat, short face. It can move freely on all limbs and has well-established feet and palms.

Monkeys are mammals which directly give birth to their young ones. They usually live in groups called “tribes” or “troops”. An easy way to distinguish them from the other primates like apes and gorillas is their tall tail using which they swing easily from the branches and no sensory whiskers on the face.

Classification of Monkeys:

Monkeys are broadly classified into two major categories – Old World Monkeys and New World Monkeys.

• Old World monkeys are those that belong to countries like Africa, Asia, etc. They live in diverse habitats like forests, snow-capped mountains, hills, and even cities. You can identify these species from the New World ones with their downward-pointing nostrils and only two pre-molars. They are also known to be color blind and can see the world in just black and white. There are approximately 160 species in this category.

Examples: Baboons, Langurs, Macaques, etc.

• New World Monkeys belong to South and Central America, Mexico regions. They usually live in tropical climates and spend most of their lives on trees. This is why they are equipped with sharp nails and longer tails. These types of monkeys have wide and rounder nostrils and can see all the colors like a human being does. There are approximately 174 species in the New World Category.

Examples – Squirrel Monkeys, Tamarin, Howler Monkey, etc.