Monkeys live in habitats around the world, including wooded areas, lush rainforests, savannas and mountain regions. Most monkeys spend their lives primarily in trees, although a few species live only on the ground. They do not build nests or dens as they spend most of their days gathering food and socializing and may travel great distances during the day, moving around their home habitats and setting up shelter wherever they go.
Regardless of where they live, monkeys have unique adaptations to help survive in trees or on the ground. They have large and complex brains, which enable them to use tools, such as using twigs to dig ants from tree crevices. Monkeys feed on a variety of items, including nuts, seeds, fruit and berries. They use their human-like hands to pry open shelled seeds and nuts, then spread the seeds after consuming the meat inside, which in turn helps populate plants and flowers. Monkeys raise their offspring for several years after birth; upon reaching maturity, males leave to find females. Occasionally, female offspring leave as well, which prevents inbreeding and static genes. Most monkeys remain with a single group or tribe over their lives, and rarely interact with other groups, even though their territories may overlap.
