Monkeys are primates within the infraorder Simiiformes (the “simians” or “higher primates”) and, in common usage, refer to tailed simians, generally excluding apes (and therefore humans).

Monkey is a common name that may refer to most mammals of the infraorder Simiiformes, also known as simians. Traditionally, all animals in the group now known as simians are counted as monkeys except the apes.

However, not everything that looks like a monkey is a monkey. You see, “monkey” is not a very scientific term, and actually refers to most members of a group of mammals called simiiformes.

Monkey, in general, any of nearly 200 species of tailed primate, with the exception of lemurs, tarsiers, and lorises. The presence of a tail (even if only a tiny nub), along with their narrow-chested bodies and other features of the skeleton, distinguishes monkeys from apes.

Monkeys are primates that (in common usage) generally exclude the apes and comprise two major lineages: New World monkeys (Platyrrhini) and Old World monkeys (Cercopithecidae within Catarrhini).

Old World monkeys are found in Africa and Asia. They include guenons, mangabeys, macaques, baboons, and colobus monkeys. New World monkeys live in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Some examples are woolly monkeys, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and squirrel monkeys.

Monkeys are tree-dwelling animals known for their high level of intelligence as they belong to the order of primates. Though they are mostly arboreal, some dwell on land in the savannas and mountainous regions, the baboon being a primary example.