Surfing the Net with kids
Monkeys, classified in the order primates, are small, smart, lively mammals that live in the tropical regions of Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. Because of their fanciful antics, they are always a crowd favorite, whether in the wild or in a zoo. Most of the 200 species live in forests and trees, although some do inhabit savannahs ( tropical grasslands).
How Stuff Works www.animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/monkeys-vs-apes.htm
Is there a difference between monkeys and apes? Yes, and this one-page article explains how monkeys and apes are related, and how they differ. It’s a good introduction to the scientific classification of orders, suborders, and species. “The 235 modern primate species are divided up into two suborders — the prosimians and the anthropoids.’’ There are some interesting links at the bottom of the page, and a printable version with less advertising.
Live Science: All About Monkeys www.livescience.com/monkeys/
“One of [the] most recognizable animals in the world, a monkey is a long-tailed, medium-sized member of the order of Primates. The primate order also includes macaques, baboons, guenons, capuchins, marmosets, and tamarins.’’ Science publisher Imaginova brings together 23 feature articles about monkeys. Visit to learn why monkeys groom the boss, or how gray-cheeked mangabeys in Uganda use their knowledge of the weather to choose the best days for fruit foraging.
National Geographic: Video: Leisurely Life of Spider Monkeys video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/animals/mammals-animals/monkeys-and-lemurs/monkey_spider.html
National Geographic hosts a terrific collection of 17 short videos about monkeys and lemurs. This one shows how troops of spider monkeys employ a lookout to watch for approaching danger while the others play and eat in the branches above. The rest of the monkey videos are listed below the video player, but some will auto-play in a loop if you continue to watch past the commercial at the end of this video.
National Zoo: Black Howler Monkeys nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/SmallMammals/Exhibits/HowlerMonkeys/default.cfm
Reubin and Jolla, a pair of black howler monkeys from the Tulsa Zoo and Lowry Park Zoological Garden in Florida, arrived at the National Zoo in 2003. With their distinct howls and playful ways, they have been a hit with visitors ever since. Click around this virtual exhibit from the zoo’s Small Mammal House to learn more about howler monkeys and other primates. “Howler monkeys have a curious reaction to heavy rain. As a rainstorm approaches or begins, they often start an excited chorus of howls.’’
