Monkeys

Wild animals fascinate us all. Primates are particularly intriguing because they remind us of ourselves. Since seeing them in their natural habitats is unlikely for most of us, they are brought to us to satisfy our curiosity and interest. Since we are primates, monkeys and apes are used in research on our behalf.

Nonhuman primates, mostly monkeys, are imported into the US by the tens of thousands annually. At the same time, they are bred here for trade, entertainment, research and display. Many are kept in inadequate, even squalid conditions. Many are recycled as they become uncooperative pets, too old for entertainment, surplused from zoos, or no longer needed in research. If they are lucky their keepers seek sanctuary for them at the end of their service.

These may not seem like common problems, especially in New England. It may be surprising to learn that over 5,200 monkeys live in the conspicuously not-tropical northeastern climate of New England. Our booming biotechnology and medical industries use thousands of primates in research -- over 16,000 in the northeast. That's one-fourth of the nation's total. Learn more about the numbers of nonhuman primates in the United States on our FAQs page.

Despite their numbers, there are fewer than a dozen accredited primate sanctuaries in North America. New England Primate Sanctuary is the only primate sanctuary in the northeast. Most sanctuaries are filled to capacity. Thousands of monkeys need placement and the need continues to grow. Once captive, they cannot be returned to their wild roots. Find out why on our FAQs page.

The outlook for their futures is dismal unless we produce reasonable and humane options. Although captivity is never natural, sanctuary provides a more natural alternative for their captive lives.

Featured Monkeys
In this growing collection, from our Staying Connected newsletters, you can learn about a variety of monkeys, their physical characteristics, habitats, diets, social behaviors, communication styles, and conservation status. Click on the photo of the monkey that you'd like to read about.
Tufted Brown Capuchin	Colobus Monkey	Slow Loris
Long Tail Macaque	Japanese Snow Macaque	Rhesus Macaque
Owl or Night Monkey	Spider Monkey	Squirrel Monkey
Woolly Monkey

What�s the Difference Between

New World and Old World Monkeys?

New World Monkeys

are found from southern Mexico to central South America, except in the high mountains. They are more primitive than Old World monkeys. Their brains are less complex, their thumbs, when present, are not opposable, and their nostrils are further apart and tend to point outward. Most have 36 teeth. They have slender bodies and limbs with long narrow hands. Most have a prehensile or partially prehensile tail.

New World monkeys include marmosets, tamarins, capuchins, spider monkeys, woolly monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, owl monkeys, the saki, and the auakari.

Old World Monkeys

are found in southern Asia, with a few species as far north as Japan and northern China, and in all of Africa except the deserts. The tails of Old World monkeys are never prehensile. Their nostrils are close together and tend to point downward. Many species have cheek pouches to hold food, and many have thick pads on their buttocks. They have 32 teeth. Old World monkeys are more closely related to the apes and humans than they are to the new world monkeys.

Old World monkeys include the many species of macaque, baboons, mandrills, mangabeys, colobus monkeys, langurs, leaf monkeys, proboscis monkeys, and guenons.