Baby monkeys range from some of the smallest and smartest mammals. There are many types of baby monkeys and they all grow and live in their own specific way. Here are five facts about baby monkeys you probably didn’t know!
#1: Monkey Babies spend most of their time with mommy
Monkey babies are often raised by their mothers, although some are also raised by their fathers. After baby monkeys are born, they like to take a ride from their mother by hanging from her neck or lying on her back.
This means they spend much of their time with her and learn a lot from her along the way. Consequently, young monkeys tend to stay with their mothers and learn as much as possible. In addition, they usually stay close to their mothers until they are about a year and a half old.
#2: Monkey Babies Have Tantrums
Like human babies, monkeys cannot fully pass on their wants and needs to their parents. This means that if a monkey is hungry, it will cry to let its mother know.
Sometimes monkey babies start throwing tantrums to get their mother’s attention. However, these tantrums often lead to other family members being punished, such as being bitten or beaten. In addition, this is usually the result of the mother not giving in to her baby’s wishes.
#3: Newborn monkeys are extremely intelligent and social creatures
From birth, monkeys are introduced to a social network of monkeys from their parents’ group. Therefore they are taught to show affection from an early age by caring, holding hands, hugging each other, and even kissing!
Monkeys learn by observation, which means monkey sees, monkey does. They are also known for making tools to help them get food, and sometimes they also use the tools they’ve made to impress their peers.
#4: Monkey Babies Can Recognize Their Relatives
Studies have shown that even if a young monkey doesn’t know who its father is, they can still identify other related monkeys just by looking at pictures. They instinctively recognize familiar facial features to avoid inbreeding.
Some monkey species have unique mating habits that do not always allow them the privilege of always knowing exactly which monkey fathered which one. Moreover, by being able to recognize familial traits, it prevents the younger generation from inbreeding.
#5: Baby monkeys are losing their baby teeth, just like us
As it turns out, people have quite a few things in common with monkeys. To be honest we are both mammals. Monkeys are born without teeth because as mammals they survive mainly on their mother’s milk for the first few weeks of their lives. However, as they age, they begin to develop teeth that are in sync with their naturally evolving diet.
Most monkeys are omnivores, meaning they eat plants and other small animals and insects. The older they get, the more variety they get in their diet. As a result, young adult monkeys lose their baby teeth and develop more permanent adult teeth. Their adult teeth allow them to eat their leaves and fruits well and occasionally frog what they might be interested in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a baby monkey weigh?
There are over 265 species of monkeys and they come in all shapes and sizes. One of the smallest kind of monkeys, the Pygmy Marmoset, weighs 13-16 grams, while the largest species of monkeys, the mandrill, has babies born anywhere from 453-907 grams.
What do baby monkeys eat?
Baby monkeys depend on their mother for their meals. Monkeys are mammals and mammals are fed on milk that their mother produces to feed them. Orangutans are almost six years old when they stop breastfeeding from their mothers! Baby monkeys are introduced to more solid foods such as leaves and fruits from an early age, but are still primarily dependent on their mother’s milk until they are about a year and a half old, depending on the different monkey species.
Where do baby monkeys live?
Most monkey species live in trees found in tropical rainforests in parts of Central and South America, Asia, and Africa. Monkeys use their feet as an extra pair of hands, making swinging from limb to limb seem effortless!
What are baby monkeys called?
Like human babies, baby monkeys are called babies. AN group of monkeys would be called a tribe or a troop. Monkeys are highly social mammals, always traveling in tribes and often leaving one tribe to join another.