The antics of Monkeys fascinate people, who see Them swinging from trees or moving effortlessly along the tops of jungle trees. Or in Africa, people see Troops of Baboons calling their greetings to the sun. From the long limbed acrobats of jungles to the stocky plains dwellers, Monkeys have adapted to many environments.
There are over 133 species ranging from the adult human-sized Mandrill to the tiny Pigmy Marmoset, who can fit in the palm of a human hand. The family of Monkeys is divided into two groups – Old World Monkeys and New World Monkeys. Living in the jungles of Central and South America, New World Monkeys have long grasping tails. Ranging from the grasslands of Africa to the mountains of Japan, Old World Monkeys have hard pads on their buttocks for sitting.
As social animals, Monkeys spend a great deal of time together grooming their Friends and raising their Young. Adult Monkeys comb through each other’s hair, while their Young play together. When Mother Monkey forages for food, the other Monkeys of her troop watch her Young. When her Friends go hunting, She returns the favor and watches their Babies.
In Asia, Monkeys are a part of people’s religious life. The Hanuman Langur of India was named for the Hindu Monkey God Hanuman. According to Hindus, He rescued the kidnapped wife of Lord Rama. In China, Monkey is the ninth animal who responded to the Buddha’s request. For answering Buddha’s call, Monkey became one of the Twelve animals of the Chinese Year Cycle.
Meanwhile in South America and Egypt, Monkeys were sacred since They could discern who was the deserving among the dead. Before any of the deceased arrived in the afterlife, Monkeys forced them to undergo a series of ordeals. Those who passed were allowed into the afterlife.
However Christians perceived Monkeys as a symbol of degraded humanity. For Christians, Monkey symbolized greed and spiritual blindness. A Monkey with an apple in his mouth portrayed the Fall of Man in Christianity.
Learn good grooming from Monkeys. It is important for Them to have social contact, so They groom each other. We can at least have a bath to ensure close contact with our friends.
Take time to read what Individual Monkey Family Teachers have to teach. Or read what Monkey Family’s Cousins, Ape Family has to teach.
Note: Chimpanzees (Pan trogolytes) are Great Apes (Hominidae) and not Monkeys.
Monkeys differ from Apes, by having tails and arms and legs equal in length. Apes are larger and heavier. Unlike Apes, Monkeys do not walk upright.
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Va. Carper