The Amazon rainforest is home to a wide variety of monkeys, some of which you’ve probably never seen before. You’ll find different monkeys in the African rainforests, so there are tonnes of rainforest monkeys! These primates can be found in both the trees and on the ground, and they vary in size from the tiny pygmy marmoset to the imposing mandrill.
Most of the monkeys of the Amazon and the African rainforests are arboreal, meaning that they live in trees. They use their dexterous hands and feet to swing through the branches and move through the forest canopy. Some of the more common tree-dwelling monkeys include the spider monkey, the howler monkey, and the capuchin monkey.
Let’s look at some of the monkeys of the Amazon rainforest and what’s so special about them – and as a bonus, some monkeys from the African rainforest too! Each monkey has its own video 🙂
Firstly – those Amazon Rainforest Monkeys
The Capuchin Monkey
The capuchin monkey is a small, grey monkey that is found in both Central and South America. They are often seen in groups of up to 30 monkeys and are very social animals. These monkeys are known for their intelligence and for their ability to use tools. They have been observed using rocks to break open nuts and branches to get at insects.
The Spider Monkey
The spider monkey is a large, black monkey that is found in the rainforests of Central and South America. These monkeys live in groups of up to 20 individuals and are very agile, swinging through the trees with ease. They are also excellent climbers, and they have been known to travel high into the canopy of the forest.
The Howler Monkey
The howler monkey is a large, black monkey that is found in the rainforests of Central and South America. These monkeys are the loudest animals on Earth, and they can be heard up to 3 miles away! They communicate with each other by howling, which is why they are named howler monkeys. Howler monkeys live in groups of up to 30 individuals.
The Tamarin Monkey
The tamarin monkey is a small, brown monkey that lives in the rainforests of South America. These monkeys are different from other monkeys because they give birth to twins and because the males carry the babies! Tamarin monkeys live in groups up to 30 individuals and spend most of their time in trees.
This Tamarin is a special one – he’s the Emperor Tamarin! Just look at his moustache!
Squirrel Monkey
The squirrel monkey is a small, brown monkey that is found in Central and South America. Squirrel monkeys are very acrobatic animals, spending most of their time jumping through the trees. They are also excellent swimmers and have been known to swim across rivers while holding on to branches!
Squirrel monkeys live in groups of up to 20 individuals.
Marmoset Monkey
The marmoset monkey is a small, gray monkey that is found in Central and South America. These monkeys weigh just 2 pounds and are the smallest monkeys in the world. Marmoset monkeys live in groups of up to 10 individuals and are very active animals, always moving around.
Pygmy Marmoset
The pygmy marmoset is the smallest monkey in the world and is found in the rainforests of South America. These monkeys weigh just 2 ounces and are less than 6 inches long! Pygmy marmosets live in groups of up to 10 individuals and are very active, always moving around.
Uakari Monkeys
The uakari monkey is a small, red-faced monkey that lives in the rainforests of South America. These monkeys are found alone or in pairs and live off food such as leaves, nuts and fruit. The uakari has a very small range and can only be found near rivers.
Just look at his red little face!
Woolly Monkeys
The wooly monkey is a large, brown monkey that lives in the rainforests of South America. These monkeys are found living alone or in pairs and spend their time moving from tree to tree. Wooly monkeys have thick fur covering most of their body, which keeps them warm when the temperature drops.
Titi Monkeys
The titi monkey is a small, black and white monkey that lives in the rainforests of Central America. Titi monkeys live in groups of up to 20 individuals and spend most of their time in trees.
Night Monkeys
Night monkeys are medium-sized animals that live in the rainforests of Central and South America. These nocturnal animals only come out at night, spending their days resting in trees. Night monkeys spend most of their time living alone or in pairs and eat fruit, leaves, nuts and insects to survive.
White-faced Saki Monkey
The white-faced saki monkey is a medium-sized, brown monkey that lives in the rainforests of South America. These monkeys are found living in groups of up to 20 individuals and spend their time moving through the trees. White-faced saki monkeys have a very special fur coat which helps keep them cool in the hot Amazon sun.
Monkeys of the African Rainforests
Owl Face Monkeys
The owl face monkey is a small, grey monkey that lives in the rainforests of Africa. These monkeys can be found either alone or in pairs and spend their time in the trees. Owl face monkeys are small animals that only weigh 4 pounds, and they have a very large head which makes up to 20% of their body!
Black and White Colobus Monkeys
The black and white colobus monkey is a medium-sized monkey that lives in the rainforests of Africa. These monkeys are found living in groups of up to 100 individuals and spend their time moving through the trees. Black and white colobus monkeys have a very special fur coat, which helps them keep cool in the hot African sun.
Mandrill Monkeys
The mandrill monkey is a large, colourful monkey that lives in the rainforests of Africa. These monkeys are found living in groups of up to 400 individuals and spend their time moving through the trees. Mandrill monkeys are very large animals, often weighing over 60 pounds! They have a very unique coat that helps them keep warm in the African rainforest.
Black and White Ruffed Lemurs
The black and white ruffed lemur is a medium-sized, white lemur that lives in the rainforests of Madagascar. These lemurs are found living in groups of up to 30 individuals and spend their time moving through the trees. Black and whiteruffed lemurs have a very special fur coat, which helps them keep cool in the hot Madagascar sun.
Ring-tailed Lemurs
The ring-tailed lemur is a large, black and white lemur that lives in the rainforests of Madagascar. These lemurs are found living in groups of up to 30 individuals and spend their time moving through the trees. Ring-tailed lemurs have a very special fur coat, which helps them keep cool in the hot Madagascar sun.
Red Ruffed Lemurs
The red ruffed lemur is a large, red lemur that lives in the rainforests of Madagascar. These lemurs are found living in groups of up to 30 individuals and spend their time moving through the trees. Red ruffed lemurs have a very special fur coat, which helps them keep cool in the hot Madagascar sun.
Gelada Baboons
The gelada baboon is a large, brown monkey that lives in the rainforests of Ethiopia. These monkeys are found living in groups of up to 400 individuals and spend their time moving through the trees. The gelada baboon is a very special monkey, and has a very unique way of communicating with other geladas! These monkeys have two different calls – one to let other geladas know where they are, and another call that alerts others to danger.
