What are monkeys called differently. Rare and unusual species of monkeys. Range, habitats

It is known from history that monkeys appeared in the Mesozoic era 200 million years ago. Over the years, these creatures have changed little. Monkeys were called primates, that is, paramount, main.

The brain of monkeys is slightly smaller than a human, but more developed than that of other animals. So these mammals are very smart.

The eyes are deep set, bulging, the pupil is small. The mouth is large, bulging forward. Teeth are formed in 2 stages: in small individuals, milk teeth appear, in adulthood, milk teeth are replaced by permanent ones. The ears are large, protruding forward.

The limbs of the front paws in many species of monkeys are similar to human ones. The first finger is opposed to the other four. There are nails on the fingertips. The back is hunched.

Growth depends on the breed of the mammal. It varies from 15 cm (dwarf) to 2.5 meters (gorilla). The coat is thick and uneven. Color brown, black, gray, chestnut.

Tiny monkey species

It is considered the smallest representative of the monkeys. Marmoset length 11-15 cm, weight from 100 to 150 grams. It easily fits in the palm of your hand. Habitat - Colombia, Ecuador, Peru. The coat is reddish, thick. Due to it, the animal seems to be 2 times larger. Lives in trees, is diurnal, very nimble and mobile. Marmosets are too clean and pay great attention to cleaning each other's coats. They feed on tree sap, insects, fruits. The photo shows all the beauty of these little primates.

• tamarin.

The body length is 31 cm. The tail reaches a length of up to 44 cm. Weight 300 grams. Feature of these monkeys is the presence of a beard and mustache. The color is brown, yellowish, brown with black patches. They live in America and Colombia. They live in families in the crowns of trees. They feed on insects, bird eggs, plants, fruits.

• squirrel monkeys.

These primates live in South America in forests located near water bodies. Body length 25-35 cm, weight 1 kg. The tail is long - 40 cm. The color is grayish-yellow. Very mobile, they can easily jump 5 meters. They are awake during the day and sleep at night. In danger, they emit a piercing cry and freeze motionlessly in place. An inexperienced person will not be able to notice a squirrel monkey even "under his nose." They feed on eggs and chicks, fruits, nuts, shellfish.

Species of medium monkeys

• Capuchin.

They live in South America. Body length 50-70 cm. Weight 4-5 kg. These monkeys are too smart and very shy. On the tops of the trees where they live, capuchins find food for themselves. They eat frogs, insects, and steal bird eggs. Capuchins are easy to train, so they are popular with monkey lovers. They can live up to 50 years.

• howler monkey.

They live in Brazil, Central and South America. Maximum height 70 cm. Weight 5-8 kg. The tail is long and tenacious, reaching almost the length of the body - 60-70 cm. Every morning, like roosters, they make loud noises to intimidate enemies. And also, these sounds attract females and show rivals that this is their territory. Howler monkeys feed on leaves, plants, and fruits. They hunt birds, insects and even large snakes.

• Spider monkey or spider monkey.

They live in Brazil, Mexico, South and Central America. Growth is 40-60 cm. The length of the tail reaches a length of 90 cm. Weight 5-10 kg. They are only awake during the day, they sleep at night. Fleeing from a predator, he can spend a lot of time on top of a tree. They feed on wild figs and plants. Individuals will not refuse mouth-watering fruits either. They live up to 40 years.

• Baboon.

Baboons live in South and East Africa. Body length is 70-80 cm. Weight ranges from 30 to 45 kg. Color yellowish brown. Baboons eat plants, fruits, leaves, bark. The best lunch for baboons are caught gazelles, antelopes. Baboons live in clans, which are always led by leaders. If a baboon is hungry and there is a human house nearby, he will gladly climb into the building for food. They are very agile and, noticing the enemy, quickly climb a tree for cover. The life expectancy of baboons is 40 years.

• colobus.

Thick-browed monkeys (colobus) live in the dense forests of Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria, Guinea. These primates can rise to a height of up to 3 thousand meters. They rarely descend from trees and are nocturnal. The growth of colobus is a maximum of 70 cm, weight - 12 kg. The tail functions as a fifth limb. The color is black and white, the back is a reddish hue. In appearance, these primates are very beautiful and majestic. The peculiarity of monkeys is the absence thumb on hands. Colobus feed on tree leaves, bark, fruits.

• Langur.

Langurs belong to the monkey family. Height 75 cm, maximum weight 20 kg. Primates feed on fruits and vegetation. Jumping langurs reach a length of ten meters. Habitat Thailand, Tibet, India. Langurs can live in areas where snow falls.

• Toque.

Macaques live both in forests and in mountains, and even in cities. Growth of individuals 40-70 cm, weight maximum 14 kg. Color brown, yellow, brown, black. Macaques perfectly adapt to city life. Amenable to learning. AT wild nature live in packs of 10 to 20 individuals. Each has its own function in the family. Individuals live in Nepal, North India, China. They feed on small animals, leaves, fruits.

• Gibbon.

Gibbons live in Southeast Asia. Primates weight 6-9 kg, height 40-90 cm. Gibbons feed on juicy fruits, vegetation, eggs and chicks, insects. Primates live in families: parents and cubs. When a young male grows up, he goes into the thicket of the forest to look for his chosen one. But there are also such instances that do not want to leave the family hearth. A parent has to kick their child out.

big monkeys

• Orangutan.

They live in Kalimantan and Sumatra. The growth of large individuals reaches 130 cm, weight 90-120 kg. Orangutans live alone or in harems. One male can have several females, and other representatives of this breed are not allowed to enter the territory. If such a daredevil appears, then both males scatter to different trees and start shaking them. This can go on for several hours until one of them is removed. Orangutans feed on bananas, plums, leaves and bark.

The gorilla is the largest representative of all monkey breeds. The growth of the primate reaches 2 meters, and the weight is 280 kg. This species lives in Central Africa. Primates feed only on vegetation. They live in groups: 2 males, several females and cubs.

Gorillas have an intimidating appearance, but in themselves they are friendly. If the males feel danger, they begin to beat in the chest with their hands, growl strongly. This is how they protect themselves from enemies. The life expectancy of gorillas is 50 years.

There are many more subspecies of these mammals. All subspecies differ depending on the habitat, ecological situation, weather phenomena, food preferences.

MONKEYS
the popular name for a suborder of higher, or humanoid (i.e., not related to "semi-monkeys" - lemurs and tarsiers) primates, with the exception of the family of hominids (humans). Although the word "primate" means first or foremost, this group is ahead of other animals only in the development of that part of the brain that in humans controls the ability to think. Vision, hearing, sense of smell and physical dexterity of representatives of many other orders are developed no worse than that of monkeys, if not better. Monkeys are most numerous and diverse in tropical and subtropical regions, especially on the plains and near water bodies. Some live in the mountains near the altitudinal border of the forest belt, and several species live in a rather cool climate. Monkeys from different systematic groups can look very different from each other. For example, the length of timid pygmy marmosets from Brazilian forests is only approx. 15 cm, while the largest monkeys (not counting the anthropoids) - baboons - resemble mastiffs in size and ferocious appearance. Despite the great external diversity, all monkeys have enough common features to combine them all into one natural taxon, which is divided into two large subgroups. The section of broad-nosed monkeys, or New World monkeys (Platyrrhina), includes one superfamily Ceboidea, uniting night monkeys, jumpers, short-tailed saki, common devil's monkeys, or saki, howler monkeys, capuchins, saimiri, arachnids, woolly monkeys and marmosets. The section of narrow-nosed monkeys, or Old World monkeys (Catarrhina), is divided into 2 superfamilies - humanoid, which is not considered in this article, and dog-like, or lower narrow-nosed (Cercopithecoidae), which includes macaques, vanders, monkeys, baboons, thin-bodied, langurs, fat bodies, drills and mandrills, mangabeys and noses. New World monkeys are characterized by long and prehensile (grasping) tails. Their nostrils are separated by a wide nasal septum, and in the skull the bottom of the auditory meatus does not ossify. In Old World monkeys, the tail, if it has one, is not prehensile; the nasal septum is narrow, and the ear canal is completely surrounded by bone. Most are characterized by ischial calluses - thickened areas of skin on the buttocks. They have only 32 teeth, while New World monkeys have 36. Most monkeys are omnivorous and feed on insects, crustaceans, bird eggs, fruits, seeds, tree leaves, young shoots and grass. Some prefer leaves, such as the brightly colored Asian langurs, which differ from the leaf-eating African marmosets in their lack of cheek pouches. All monkeys climb well. Their forelimbs (arms) are usually free to rotate. The thumbs (if any) on the front and hind legs are opposed to the rest, i.e. all limbs are prehensile, adapted for life on trees. Nails are flat. The African King Gverets (Colobus) spends its entire life on trees, feeding on leaves and flowers. This monkey is also called "Gverets with a mantilla" for its beautiful black and white coat, reminiscent of a royal mantle; such fur, similar to the white tree lichen of her native forests, serves as a camouflage. Some monkeys, such as baboons, spend most of their time on earth, roaming over a wide area. All monkeys are diurnal; animals active during daylight hours, with the exception of the genus of night monkeys (Aotus), also known as "owl monkeys" or durukuli. These huge-eyed animals live in the equatorial rainforests of South America, build nests in hollow trees, live in pairs and give birth to twin cubs. Some monkeys, such as macaques (Macaca) and proboscis (Nasilis), with an unusually long nose, willingly climb into the water, swim well and, if they want to hide, are able to dive considerable distances. Monkeys communicate with relatives by species-specific sounds. Thus, American howler monkeys (Alouatta), the largest primates of the New World, which are practically untamed, can make a roar that can be heard in the forest for 5 km. Such loud, far-reaching sounds arise due to the fact that, under the influence of strong contractions of the muscles of the pharynx, air from the lungs passes over the opening of special sound-enhancing resonators - bone laryngeal sacs. Most monkeys are social animals living in packs of up to a hundred individuals, such as macaques. Other species form family groups with no more than 5-6 individuals. During the day, flocks often break up into small "detachments", but at dusk they reunite. Baboons usually roam in herds of 200-300 individuals. Old males lead the column, most of the other males keep behind, guarding the rear, and groups of bachelors sometimes move separately from the rest. Monkeys do not have burrows or permanent dwellings. They stay where there is food, and when it becomes scarce, they migrate to more favorable places. Monkeys are usually timid and, in case of danger, they save themselves in trees, scattered along the branches. Baboons have a different reaction. If, for example, a leopard attacks their relative who has strayed from the herd, a dozen males will come running to his cry, ready to tear the aggressor apart. Pregnancy in Old World monkeys lasts from 149 to 270 days; New World monkeys have an average of 139 days. Although all taxa have their own characteristics of mating behavior, most follow a common stereotype: one large male keeps a "harem" of several females with him. In large groups with several adult males, conflicts occur between them because of partners. If this happens in a herd of baboons, then all the monkeys are included in the fight. It happens that the females, because of which the conflict flares up, do not live up to its resolution. Oddly enough, monkeys seem to have a poor ability to distinguish between dead and living relatives and can remain faithful to the deceased sexual partner for some time, leaving it only with the transition to a new feeding area. Macaques, the most famous and typical of the Old World monkeys, are among the hardiest primates. There is approx. 50 of their taxa are mostly the size of a fox terrier. A characteristic feature of the group is the presence of cheek pouches in which they accumulate food. Macaques live in flocks of about 100 individuals and are found from tropical valleys to snowy highlands. Like most monkeys, they do not have a strictly defined breeding season; seven months after mating, the female usually gives birth to one cub. The newborn's eyes are open; he hangs on his mother, clasping her in front, or she herself carries him in her arms, wherever she goes. Soon the cub gains strength and confidence in order to stay on the mother's back, gradually learns to feed on its own and finally becomes a full member of the group. At the age of three years, puberty occurs, but the maximum size of individuals reaches 4-5 years.

The tailless macaque (Macaca sylvanus) is the only monkey found in Europe. Many years ago it was introduced from Africa to Gibraltar. According to legend, as long as the macaques remain in this place, Britain will not lose control of the Strait of Gibraltar. Rhesus monkey (M. milata, or M. rhesus) - a species common in northern India - came to Europe with wandering organ grinders. Hindus consider these animals sacred and specially feed them at the temples of the monkey god Hanuman. Rhesus is widely used for medical experiments. Few drugs or vaccines have been introduced into medical practice without prior testing on these monkeys; and the symbol Rh, meaning the Rh factor of the blood, is the first two letters of their species name. Monkeys are very interesting as pets. It is especially convenient to keep capuchins (Cebus). These are the most intelligent primates of the New World; they are easily tamed and trained. In captivity, monkeys are mischievous, restless and curious, many are characterized by violent temperament and sudden outbursts of irritation. They never become fully tame, and besides, they are usually much stronger than they seem. Having matured, monkeys can begin to bite, and over time, they can become quite dangerous. The life expectancy of most of these animals (except for anthropoids) is approx. 15 years, some live up to 25 years.

Collier Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .

Discovered the new kind Monkeys October 16th, 2015

The Burmese snub-nosed monkey, or Stryker's Rhinopithecus (Rhinopithecus strykeri), is a species of thin-bodied monkey that scientists discovered in Burma in 2010. They are often confused with the bright orange Rhinopithecus roxellana, which is native to central and southern China.

The snub-nosed monkey was discovered by a group from Myanmar Primate Conservation sponsored by John Stryker. In honor of him, this new monkey was named. Scientists conducting an expedition in northern Burma received skulls and bones of the future Rhinopithecus strykeri from local hunters. Scientists examined the remains and decided that they may belong to an as yet undescribed species. Further, scientists still managed to detect primates in the valleys of the Mekong and Salween rivers. According to scientists, only one population of Burmese snub-nosed monkeys was discovered - about 300 individuals.

Photo 2.

In addition to the distinctive black color with a white muzzle, the main feature of this monkey is a deformed raised nose (see photo). According to local hunters, when it rains, the monkey sneezes loudly, as water gets into their nose. Therefore, often during the rain, she can be seen sitting and lowering her head between her knees, thereby protecting herself from the rain. The locals call this monkey - "mey nwoah", which in Burmese means "monkey with his head up". The Burmese monkey is on the verge of extinction, due to the fact that the locals eat it, and it does not have any cultural value for them. The Burmese snub-nosed monkey is the rarest primate species.

Photo 3.

Science learned about the existence of the Burmese snub-nosed monkey only in 2010. These monkeys are extremely few and they got lost in a small area of ​​dense jungle. However, local tribes have long been familiar with these animals and call them - a monkey with an inverted face. And all because she sneezes when it rains.

The nostrils of the Burmese snub-nosed monkey are very short. This results in her sneezing from the raindrops. Wanting to protect himself from this, the monkey sits during the rain, lowering his head and hiding it between his knees. Locals often saw her with her head down.

Photo 4.

Rhinopithecus strykeri is still poorly understood, but for now we will report what is known. The coat of the monkey is mostly black. She has a mane of long black hair on her head. Their face is pink, without any hair. However, the monkey wears a mustache and a whitish beard.

The growth of the Burmese snub-nosed monkey is about half a meter. But on the other hand, the tail is one and a half times longer than the rest of the body.

Presumably, three or four packs live in an area of ​​270 square kilometers. They live only in the northeast of Burma, that is, in the Eastern Himalayas at an altitude of 1700 (in winter) to 3200 meters (in summer, when there is no snow), in isolation from other primates. Their total number is estimated at 260-330 monkeys.

Photo 5.

“It’s incredible to discover a new species of primate, especially a new species of snub-nosed monkeys, because this is extremely, extremely rare,” Frank Momberg, director of Asia-Pacific development for international charity Fauna & Flora International, told the BBC. (FFI). With these snub-nosed monkeys, Burma now has 15 primate species, highlighting the country's importance to the conservation of biodiversity on earth."

Photo 6.

International charity Fauna & Flora International is calling for urgent action to protect the newly discovered primate species. First of all, they turn their appeals to the timber merchants. “If we can convince the locals to stop hunting snub-nosed monkeys and set up a team to patrol the area, and ensure alternative sources livelihoods of those who are completely dependent on the income that logging brings, we can save [the species] from extinction,” said Frank Momberg.

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