5 Unique Monkey Species Many Never Knew Existed

A recent report from Treehugger said there are almost 200 different monkey species found all over the world. They appear in all shapes and sizes, "from adorable four-ounce pygmy marmoset" to the gigantic mandrill weighing over 100 pounds, and all species in between.

Essentially, monkeys are divided into two classifications: New World monkeys found in Mexico, Central America, and South America; and Old World monkey found in Asia and Africa.

One will find a number of remarkable differences.

Old World monkeys, for instance, do not have "prehensile or gripping tails," although some are born with extraordinary pouches in their cheeks intended for food storage.

Also, according to the said information site, whether it is the call of the howler that can be heard from three miles far, "or the bald uakari's crimson head" reflecting health levels, there is something unusual about each and every individual of these so-called "intelligent primates."

Below are 5 of the unique species of monkeys on earth, many people never imagined ever existed:

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1 Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey

Called rhinopithecus roxellana, this blue-faced golden snub-nosed monkey lives in mountain forests at elevations that range between 1,600 and 4,000 meters above sea level.

These monkeys are said to be highly social, and they display a collective behavior typical in primates with group sizes formed according to the season.

Specifically, summer troops can have as many as 600 monkeys, quite large for size in the world of primates, although as colder weather occurs, the troops break into subgroups comprising only 60 to 70 individuals to merge up again when spring sets in.

Many with knowledge of this species believed that this behavior is associated with "human disturbance or food availability." Nevertheless, the snub-nosed monkeys' elusiveness makes them difficult to examine.

2 Mandrill

Also called the "Mandrillus sphinx," mandrill is considered the world's largest monkey. Living in tropical rainforest habitats within equatorial Africa, these species are described to be "shy and reclusive" despite their gigantic size.

Male mandrills reach heights of around 80 centimeters and can have a maximum weight of 54 kilograms, with radiantly-colored rumps, olive green bodies, and red stripes in their muzzles.

Opposite the common belief, mandrills are said to be different from baboons. The simplest way to differentiate them is through their bright colors and longer teeth that enable them to eat tough food, including hard-shelled fruits.

3 Emperor Tamarin

Guessing what this monkey species, also called saguinus imperator, is best known for is quite easy. The name emperor tamarin is believed to have been derived from German emperor Wilhelm II, who used to wear a "similar-looking upturned mustache."

This species lives in the Amazon Basin throughout Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia in various wooded environments, from mountains to forests.

In addition, emperor tamarins have long, red tails too, which have small spots of gold, white and red on their bodies that are primarily gray in color.

4 Japanese Macaque

The Japanese macaque or maca fuscata is also called the "snow monkey." This species from the Old World monkey lives on Japan's three out of the five main islands.

Experts on these animals say snow monkeys live "further north" compared to any other primate, and they are extremely adaptable that they can endure both warm and cold climates. There was even a group of this species that successfully introduced to a Texan sanctuary.

5 White-Faced Saki

The white-faced sakis or Pithecia Pithecia from the New World monkeys that occupy most of their time in trees are said to be "amazing athletes."

They're moving throughout their habitats in South America by leaping through the treetops, covering a maximum 33-feet distance in a single bound when they're threatened.

While jumping is these monkeys' main mode of transportation, they move "quadrupedally on occasion," going down to lower tree limbs, not to mention even all the way to the ground to look for fruit to eat.

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