Tiny monkeys
Which species is the smallest monkey in the world?
Pygmy marmosets are the world's smallest true monkeys, with adults weighing only a little over 100 grams.
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100 monkey trivia questions and answers
Explore curious primate facts at your own pace, then put your memory to the test in the full RandyMonkey Quiz.
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Every fact includes the answer and an explanation from the quiz.
Monkey geography
Where would you find proboscis monkeys in the wild?
Proboscis monkeys are found only on Borneo, where they favour mangroves, riverbanks and other wet forests.
Read the answerMonkey superpowers
What is special about the tail of many spider monkeys?
A spider monkey's prehensile tail can curl around branches and works almost like an extra limb.
Read the answerBig monkeys
Which is the world's largest species of monkey?
Mandrills are the largest monkeys. Adult males are much bigger than females and have famously colourful faces.
Read the answerNoisy monkeys
Which monkey is famous for calls that can travel for miles through the forest?
Howler monkeys use an enlarged throat structure to produce extraordinarily deep, far-carrying calls.
Read the answerSnow monkeys
Japanese macaques are often photographed relaxing in what?
Some Japanese macaques bathe in naturally heated springs during cold winters, which earned them the nickname snow monkeys.
Read the answerClever monkeys
Which monkeys are especially well known for using stones as tools?
Wild capuchins have been observed using stones to crack nuts and other hard foods.
Read the answerMonkey menu
What makes up most of a gelada monkey's diet?
Geladas are unusual grazing monkeys. They spend much of the day sitting in highland meadows and eating grass.
Read the answerMonkey families
Which of these animals is an ape rather than a monkey?
Chimpanzees are great apes. Unlike most monkeys, apes do not have tails.
Read the answerColourful monkeys
The golden lion tamarin is native to which country?
Golden lion tamarins live in Brazil's Atlantic coastal forests and are named for the bright mane-like fur around their faces.
Read the answerMonkey communication
Vervet monkeys use different alarm calls for different kinds of what?
Vervets give distinct alarm calls for threats such as eagles, snakes and leopards, prompting different escape responses.
Read the answerMonkey anatomy
Which monkey's name refers to its reduced, stump-like thumbs?
The name colobus comes from a Greek word meaning 'mutilated', referring to these monkeys' greatly reduced thumbs.
Read the answerWater-loving monkeys
Which monkey is a notably strong swimmer with partly webbed feet?
Proboscis monkeys are excellent swimmers and may leap from branches into rivers to cross the water.
Read the answerNew World monkeys
New World monkeys naturally come from which part of the world?
New World monkeys are native to Central and South America; Old World monkeys come from Africa and Asia.
Read the answerMonkey expressions
A monkey showing its teeth is always smiling happily. True or false?
False. Depending on the species and situation, exposed teeth can communicate fear, submission, tension or a threat.
Read the answerSpeedy monkeys
Which monkey is the fastest-running primate?
The long-legged patas monkey can reach roughly 55 kilometres per hour while racing across open ground.
Read the answerMonkey tails
What is unusual about a uakari monkey's tail?
Unlike most New World monkeys, uakaris have tails that are much shorter than their bodies.
Read the answerMonkey cooling
Squirrel monkeys can sweat through which parts of their bodies?
Squirrel monkeys sweat through their palms and soles, and also use clever behaviours to cool down in humid forests.
Read the answerMonkey balance
How does a squirrel monkey mainly use its long tail?
A squirrel monkey's tail is not prehensile. It acts more like a balancing pole as the monkey races along branches.
Read the answerMonkey style
Which monkey is famous for a white beard and an orange crescent on its forehead?
De Brazza's monkey has a magnificent white beard and a bright orange brow, giving it a wonderfully distinguished look.
Read the answerNight monkeys
Which group contains the only truly nocturnal monkeys?
Owl monkeys, also called night monkeys, are the only monkeys that are genuinely active mainly at night.
Read the answerMonkey menu
Pygmy marmosets use specialised teeth to get which favourite food?
Pygmy marmosets gouge tree bark with specialised incisors and feed heavily on the gum and sap that flows out.
Read the answerMonkey names
Capuchin monkeys were named after what?
Their dark crown of hair reminded people of the hoods worn by Capuchin friars.
Read the answerMonkey moustaches
Which monkey was named for its resemblance to a famously moustached German emperor?
The emperor tamarin's spectacular white moustache inspired a playful comparison with Emperor Wilhelm II.
Read the answerEuropean monkeys
Which wild monkey can be found on Gibraltar?
Gibraltar's Barbary macaques are Europe's best-known wild monkey population, although the species is native to North Africa.
Read the answerMonkey tails
Despite its nickname, what is a Barbary 'ape' actually?
The Barbary macaque is a true monkey. Its tail is so reduced that people historically mistook it for an ape.
Read the answerIndian monkeys
The lion-tailed macaque naturally lives in which country?
Lion-tailed macaques are native to the rainforests of India's Western Ghats and are named for the tuft at the end of their tails.
Read the answerColourful monkeys
Which monkey is sometimes nicknamed the 'queen of primates' for its striking colours?
The red-shanked douc wears an extraordinary mix of red, orange, black, white, grey and blue-grey fur.
Read the answerMonkey noses
What feature gives snub-nosed monkeys their name?
Snub-nosed monkeys have short, upturned noses with forward-facing nostrils—useful inspiration for a very literal name.
Read the answerMonkey groups
What is a group of monkeys most commonly called?
A group of monkeys is usually called a troop, although 'tribe' is also sometimes used.
Read the answerMonkey geography
Which continent has no native wild monkeys?
Australia has no native monkeys. Wild monkeys evolved naturally in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Read the answerMonkey faces
A bald uakari's vivid red face can be a sign of what?
Research suggests that a bright red face advertises health, and may help uakaris choose mates.
Read the answerMonkey babies
Tamarins commonly give birth to how many babies at once?
Twins are common among tamarins, and fathers and other family members often help carry and care for them.
Read the answerMonkey cheeks
Why do many Old World monkeys have cheek pouches?
Cheek pouches let monkeys quickly gather food and move somewhere safer before stopping to chew it.
Read the answerMonkey noses
Which clue often helps distinguish Old World monkeys from New World monkeys?
Old World monkeys usually have close-set, downward-facing nostrils; New World monkeys tend to have wider, side-facing nostrils.
Read the answerTiny monkeys
Which is the smallest Old World monkey?
Talapoins are the smallest Old World monkeys, with adult females typically weighing less than one kilogram.
Read the answerSwamp monkeys
What helps Allen's swamp monkeys move through their watery habitat?
Allen's swamp monkeys have slight webbing between their fingers and toes and are strong swimmers.
Read the answerSleeping monkeys
How do saki monkeys often sleep among the branches?
Sakis curl their furry bodies up on branches rather like sleeping cats.
Read the answerJumping monkeys
Which body part helps saki monkeys make impressive leaps?
Sakis have powerful hind legs that launch them across surprisingly large gaps between branches.
Read the answerForest gardeners
Why are woolly monkeys important to rainforest trees?
Woolly monkeys swallow many fruits and spread their seeds around the forest as they travel.
Read the answerMonkey music
Which monkeys are known for performing coordinated duets with their partners?
Paired titi monkeys produce elaborate vocal duets that help reinforce their bond and advertise their territory.
Read the answerBaby monkeys
What colour are many François' langur babies when they are born?
François' langur infants have vivid orange fur that gradually darkens as they grow.
Read the answerLeaf eaters
What helps colobus monkeys digest a leafy diet?
Their specialised stomachs contain microbes that ferment and break down tough plant material.
Read the answerMonkey history
Which baboon was associated with the sacred traditions of ancient Egypt?
Hamadryas baboons were linked with sacred figures including Thoth, the ancient Egyptian god of wisdom and writing.
Read the answerMonkey names
The crab-eating macaque is also commonly known by which name?
The crab-eating macaque is better described by its other common name, the long-tailed macaque; it eats much more than crabs.
Read the answerMonkey grooming
Why do monkeys groom one another besides removing dirt and parasites?
Grooming is social currency for many monkeys, helping them build friendships, reduce tension and maintain alliances.
Read the answerMonkey movement
What does the word 'arboreal' mean when describing a monkey?
An arboreal monkey spends most of its life in trees, where its body is adapted for climbing, balancing or leaping.
Read the answerMonkey fingers
Marmosets usually have what instead of flat fingernails on most digits?
Their claw-like nails help small marmosets cling vertically to trunks while searching for gum and insects.
Read the answerMonkey faces
Which monkey is closely related to the mandrill but has a mostly black face?
The drill is a powerful forest monkey related to the mandrill, but its face is dark rather than brightly striped.
Read the answerMonkey habitats
Where do geladas naturally live?
Geladas live in the high grasslands and dramatic cliff country of the Ethiopian highlands.
Read the answerBaboon features
Which facial feature gives many baboons a dog-like appearance?
Baboons have long, powerful muzzles with large canine teeth, giving their faces a distinctly dog-like profile.
Read the answerCold-weather monkeys
Which monkey lives farther north than any other non-human primate?
Japanese macaques live on islands reaching into snowy northern Japan, farther north than any other wild non-human primate.
Read the answerSwimming monkeys
Long-tailed macaques sometimes dive underwater to find what?
Long-tailed macaques are capable swimmers and may dive for crabs, shellfish and other food along coasts and rivers.
Read the answerIsland monkeys
The toque macaque is found naturally only on which island nation?
The toque macaque is endemic to Sri Lanka and is named for the cap-like swirl of hair on its head.
Read the answerMonkey hairstyles
Which monkey gets its name from a cap-like arrangement of hair on its head?
The bonnet macaque has hair that radiates from the crown like a neat little bonnet.
Read the answerIsland monkeys
Crested black macaques come from which Indonesian island?
Crested black macaques are native to Sulawesi and nearby islands in Indonesia.
Read the answerMonkey noses
What may a male proboscis monkey's enormous nose help it do?
The large nose is thought to deepen and amplify a male's calls, as well as making him more attractive to females.
Read the answerMonkey markings
Where is a gelada's distinctive red patch located?
Geladas have a bare red patch on the chest, inspiring the nickname 'bleeding-heart monkey'.
Read the answerMonkey hands
What is unusual about a spider monkey's thumbs?
Spider monkeys have tiny or absent thumbs, which lets their long fingers form effective hooks for swinging through branches.
Read the answerMonkey tails
Which monkey uses a muscular prehensile tail while climbing through South American forests?
A woolly monkey's strong prehensile tail can grip branches and support its weight as it climbs.
Read the answerClever monkeys
Capuchins have been seen using crushed leaves as what?
Capuchins can use absorbent plant material like a sponge to soak up liquids from hard-to-reach places.
Read the answerNoisy monkeys
Which enlarged bone helps howler monkeys make such powerful calls?
An enlarged, hollow hyoid bone in the throat acts as a resonating chamber for a howler monkey's booming voice.
Read the answerLeaping monkeys
What helps colobus monkeys make long leaps between trees?
Their long limbs, lightweight bodies and flowing hair help colobus monkeys bound spectacularly through the canopy.
Read the answerBlack-and-white monkeys
Which monkey is also called the mantled guereza?
The mantled guereza is a black-and-white colobus with a flowing white mantle along its sides.
Read the answerLeaf-eating monkeys
Red colobus monkeys mainly eat which kind of food?
Red colobus monkeys specialise in leaves, seeds and unripe fruit, processed by their complex digestive systems.
Read the answerMonkey names
The white crescent on a Diana monkey's forehead recalls which figure?
The monkey was named for Diana, Roman goddess of the moon, because its white brow resembles a crescent.
Read the answerNight monkeys
Which feature helps owl monkeys see in dim light?
Owl monkeys have unusually large eyes that gather light during their nighttime adventures.
Read the answerMonkey hairstyles
Which monkey has a dramatic white crest that resembles a tuft of cotton?
The cotton-top tamarin's long white crest runs from its forehead over its shoulders like a tiny punk hairstyle.
Read the answerMonkey ears
Which monkey is recognised by fluffy white tufts around its ears?
Adult common marmosets develop conspicuous white ear tufts that frame their faces.
Read the answerMonkey faces
Which tiny monkey has a mostly bare, dark face surrounded by pale fur?
The pied tamarin has a striking black, nearly hairless face set against white upper-body fur.
Read the answerMonkey foraging
Golden lion tamarins use long fingers to search for prey in what places?
Their slender fingers probe bark, bromeliads and small holes for insects, frogs and other hidden snacks.
Read the answerMonkey moustaches
Which tamarin has a neat white moustache but not the emperor tamarin's sweeping whiskers?
The moustached tamarin earns its straightforward name from the white hair outlining its mouth.
Read the answerMonkey markings
The saddleback tamarin is named for a marking across which part of its body?
A mottled patch across the middle of its back resembles a tiny saddle.
Read the answerCold-weather monkeys
Golden snub-nosed monkeys survive snowy winters in which country?
Golden snub-nosed monkeys inhabit cold, mountainous forests in central China.
Read the answerMountain monkeys
Which snub-nosed monkey lives at especially high elevations in China?
The black-and-white snub-nosed monkey lives in rugged mountain forests at some of the highest elevations used by any primate.
Read the answerRainy-day monkeys
Myanmar snub-nosed monkeys are reported to do what when rain enters their upturned noses?
Local reports say these monkeys tuck their heads between their knees in heavy rain to avoid repeated sneezing.
Read the answerSacred monkeys
Hanuman langurs are named after a figure from which tradition?
They are named after Hanuman, the revered monkey figure in Hindu tradition.
Read the answerIsland monkeys
Purple-faced langurs are native to which island?
Purple-faced langurs occur only in Sri Lanka, where several populations survive in shrinking forests.
Read the answerMountain monkeys
The Nilgiri langur lives in which Indian mountain region?
Nilgiri langurs inhabit forested hills in the Western Ghats of southern India.
Read the answerLeaf-eating monkeys
What allows red-shanked doucs to digest tough leaves?
Like other leaf monkeys, doucs use a chambered stomach and helpful microbes to ferment foliage.
Read the answerNewly known monkeys
The kipunji monkey was first scientifically reported from which country?
The kipunji was reported from remote forests in Tanzania in 2005, a remarkable modern primate discovery.
Read the answerNewly known monkeys
The lesula monkey was scientifically described from which African country?
The lesula was formally described in 2012 from the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Read the answerNewly known monkeys
The Popa langur was named after a mountain in which country?
The species takes its name from Mount Popa in central Myanmar.
Read the answerRare monkeys
Roloway monkeys naturally live in forests in Ghana and which neighbouring country?
The rare Roloway monkey is restricted to a small area of forest in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
Read the answerPowerful monkeys
Drills are native to a small region of which continent?
Drills inhabit forests in Nigeria, Cameroon and the island of Bioko in western Africa.
Read the answerMonkey eyes
Which feature gives the white-eyelid mangabey its name?
Its pale eyelids stand out dramatically against its dark face, especially when it blinks.
Read the answerMonkey hairstyles
What feature is shared by many crested mangabeys?
Crested mangabeys have conspicuous crowns or tufts of hair on top of their heads.
Read the answerSavanna monkeys
Which habitat best suits the long-legged patas monkey?
Patas monkeys are built for speed across open African grasslands and lightly wooded country.
Read the answerGround monkeys
Compared with many monkeys, baboons spend a great deal of time where?
Baboons are highly terrestrial and forage, travel and socialise extensively on the ground.
Read the answerBaboon society
A basic hamadryas baboon social unit usually centres on what?
Hamadryas society is built from one-male units that gather into larger clans, bands and troops.
Read the answerBaboon colours
Why is the olive baboon called 'olive'?
Mixed yellow and black hairs give its coat an overall olive-green appearance.
Read the answerBig baboons
Which is generally the largest baboon species?
The robust chacma baboon of southern Africa is generally considered the largest baboon species.
Read the answerBaboon colours
What gives the yellow baboon its common name?
Yellow baboons have yellowish-brown fur, often with lighter hair around the face.
Read the answerColourful monkeys
Besides its face, which part of a male mandrill can be vividly coloured?
Adult male mandrills display vivid blue, purple and red skin on both the face and rump.
Read the answerMonkey faces
Which facial pattern is typical of a vervet monkey?
Vervets usually have dark faces surrounded by a pale fringe of fur.
Read the answerMonkey vocabulary
The word 'guenon' commonly refers to a group of monkeys from where?
Guenons are a diverse group of mostly colourful African forest monkeys.
Read the answerMonkey tails
Fully prehensile tails are found naturally in which monkeys?
Several monkeys from Central and South America have gripping tails; no Old World monkey has a fully prehensile tail.
Read the answerMonkey tails
Can an Old World monkey use its tail to grip a branch like a fifth hand?
Old World monkey tails may aid balance or communication, but they are not prehensile.
Read the answerMonkey anatomy
What are the tough sitting pads of many Old World monkeys called?
Ischial callosities are thick, hairless pads that make sitting on branches or hard ground more comfortable.
Read the answerMonkey communication
Which of these can monkeys use to communicate?
Monkey communication can combine vocal calls, facial expressions, body posture, touch and scent signals.
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