Monkeys, the Intelligent Creatures

Monkeys are mammals that are usually found in forests and jungle, mostly in tropical rain forests. They are classified into two major groups, the New World primates (South and Central America) and the Old World primates (Asia and Africa). Old and New World monkeys both have forward-facing eyes. They also share some features such as types of noses, rumps and cheek. Their difference mainly lies, besides living on different continents, on the faces. They look very different.  Many are arboreal which is known as living in trees such as baboons and others live on the savanna. Monkeys usually have tails.

There are over 240 breeds of monkeys. Howler monkeys are said to be the loudest and also among the largest breed of monkeys being heard as far as ten miles away. They work in groups when they hunt for food.  There is a leader who gets the food and the others serve as guards. They love to eat fruit, especially bananas. They are sneaky and fond of stealing goods from tourists.

They have feelings like humans.In communicating with their fellow men, monkeys use different noises and facial expressions. Some people kept monkeys as pets. They are considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. They can be trained. In fact there are organizations that use monkeys as service animals for the disabled.

Some countries such as France and United States have used monkeys as part of their space exploration project. On June 14, 1949, the famous monkey Albert II was the first monkey in space who flew in the US-launched V-2 rocket. There are some religions which consider monkeys as a symbol of greed, trickery and ugliness. Some religious people however worship monkeys and some believed they bestow courage, strength and longevity to a person.

Monkeys were also used in laboratories. They were used primarily because of their fast reproductive cycle. The use of monkeys in laboratories became controversial and produced many protests and claims from animal rights activists.