"Monkey"

"Description"      One hundred and thirty-three different species of monkeys live in our  world. They are separated into two groups.

The Old World monkey live in  Africa and Asia. The New World monkeys are from the Americas. NewWorld monkeys have wide noses with nostrils that point out. They use their tails for grasping. Their tails can hold onto a branch like another hand. Old World monkeys have thin noses with small nostrils. Their tails are tiny and straight. All monkeys have two arms, two legs, five fingers, and five toes. Monkeys vary in shape, size, and colors.      
Monkeys vary in size. The smallest is the pygmy marmoset. It is only about 6 inches long. The mandrill is one of the largerst monkeys. It may grown as long as 32 inches.
     All monkeys have long arms and legs. These help them climb, jump, and run. Monkeys usually walk and run on all fours. They have large eyes to help them see long distances and to tell if the food they are going to eat is ripe. Most monkeys that live in trees have longer tails than those who live on the ground.
Habitat
     Monkeys live throughout the tropics of Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. They are not native to North America, Europe, or Australia. Most monkeys live in forest. A few of the Old World monkeys live in the open grassy regions.
Food
     The diet of monkeys varies form fruits, leaves, flowers, insects, eggs, and small reptiles. Most species are primarily herbivorous.
Young
     Monkeys usually have only one baby at a time. The babies drink their mother's milk for a few weeks up to 2 years depending on the species. The mother carries the baby until it can walk safely on its own.

     Monkeys live in groups called troops. Troops sometimes may number as many as several hundred. Monkeys can live up to 45 years.