- A monkey is an anthropomorphic ape with a long tail. Monkeys are members of the primate subfamily, which includes humans. It should be borne in mind, however, that – as popularly as monkeys are any hominoid primate (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans and gibbons) – these are not monkeys, since they do not have a tail. Nor is it appropriate to apply this denomination to short-tailed primates or gnats, to which the popular denomination of monkeys is more appropriate.
Life expectancy of a monkey
The life expectancy of a monkey depends on the habitat in which it is found, the diet, the size, the species and a host of other factors. In general, an average monkey can live a maximum of 30 years , although there are species that can exceed 60 years of life.
Some monkeys are used as pets, others are used as model organisms in laboratories or on space missions, etc. In some areas, some species of monkeys are considered agricultural pests, and can cause serious damage to cash and subsistence crops. This can have important implications for the conservation of endangered species, which can be subject to persecution. Monkeys that have become accustomed to human presence in tourist places can also be considered pests, attacking and robbing tourists.
