Types of Monkeys: Many things come to mind when you think monkeys. They are often considered to be cute and very intelligent animals. Many species have their characteristics regarding location, size, color, and even abilities.
Monkeys are very vocal animals, which is how they communicate. They emit different tones to protect themselves from danger, call a mate, and communicate with their young.
Monkeys consist of many species throughout the world. On this page, the BioExplorer team explores all types of monkeys in the mammalian world.
Table of Contents
- All Types of Monkeys
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Monkeys vs. Monkies
- First Grouping of Primates
- Modern Grouping of Primates
- Classification of Primates
- Monkey Data Analysis
- Types of Monkeys By Alphabets
- Types of Monkeys By Diet
- Types of Monkeys By Breeds
- Types of Monkeys By Colors
- Types of Monkeys By Habitats
- Types of Monkeys By Countries
All Types of Monkeys
Agile Mangabey
Species Name: Cercocebus agilisAllen’s Swamp Monkey
Species Name: Allenopithecus nigroviridisAlta Floresta Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus grovesiAmazon Black Howler
Species Name: Alouatta nigerrimaAndean Night Monkey
Species Name: Aotus miconaxAndean Saddle-back Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus leucogenysAngolan Colobus
Species Name: Colobus angolensisAngolan Talapoin
Species Name: Miopithecus talapoinAnnamese Silvered Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus margaritaAracá Uakari
Species Name: Cacajao ayresiArunachal Macaque
Species Name: Macaca munzalaAshy Black Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus cinerascensAshy Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus tephroscelesAssam Macaque
Species Name: Macaca assamensisAtlantic Titi
Species Name: Callicebus personatusAzara’s Night Monkey
Species Name: Aotus azaraeBald Uakari
Species Name: Cacajao calvusBale Monkey
Species Name: Chlorocebus djamdjamensisBanded Langur
Species Name: Presbytis femoralisBarbara Brown’s Titi
Species Name: Callicebus barbarabrownaeBarbary Macaque
Species Name: Macaca sylvanusBare-eared Squirrel Monkey
Species Name: Saimiri ustusBearded Capuchin
Species Name: Sapajus libidinosusBearded Saki
Species Name: Chiropotes chiropotesBengal Sacred Langur
Species Name: Semnopithecus entellusBlack and White Langur
Species Name: Presbytis bicolorBlack Bearded Saki
Species Name: Chiropotes satanasBlack Capuchin
Species Name: Sapajus nigritusBlack colobus
Black Howler monkey
Species Name: Alouatta carayaBlack Lion Tamarin
Species Name: Leontopithecus chrysopygusBlack Snub-nosed Monkey
Species Name: Rhinopithecus bietiBlack Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles paniscusBlack Squirrel Monkey
Species Name: Saimiri vanzoliniiBlack Sumatran Langur
Species Name: Presbytis sumatranaBlack Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus nigerBlack Titi
Species Name: Cheracebus lugensBlack Uakari
Species Name: Cacajao melanocephalusBlack-capped Squirrel Monkey
Species Name: Saimiri boliviensisBlack-crested mangabey
Species Name: Lophocebus aterrimusBlack-Crested Sumatran Langur
Species Name: Presbytis melalophosBlack-faced Lion Tamarin
Species Name: Leontopithecus caissaraBlack-footed Gray Langur
Species Name: Semnopithecus hypoleucosBlack-fronted Titi
Species Name: Callicebus nigrifronsBlack-headed Marmoset
Species Name: Mico nigricepsBlack-headed Night Monkey
Species Name: Aotus nigricepsBlack-Headed Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles fuscicepsBlack-mantled Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus nigricollisBlack-shanked Douc Langur
Species Name: Pygathrix nigripesBlack-Tailed Marmoset
Species Name: Mico melanurusBlack-Tufted Marmoset
Species Name: Callithrix penicillataBlond Capuchin
Species Name: Sapajus flaviusBlue Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus mitisBlue Nile Patas Monkey
Species Name: Erythrocebus poliophaeusBolivian Red Howler
Species Name: Alouatta saraBonnet Macaque
Species Name: Macaca radiataBooted Macaque
Species Name: Macaca ochreataBouvier’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus bouvieriBrazilian Bare-Faced Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus bicolorBrown Howler Monkey
Species Name: Alouatta guaribaBrown Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus brunneusBrown Weeper Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus brunneusBrown-backed Bearded Saki
Species Name: Chiropotes israelitaBrown-mantled Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus fuscicollisBrumback’s Night Monkey
Species Name: Aotus brumbackiBuffy-headed Marmoset
Species Name: Callithrix flavicepsBuffy-tufted Marmoset
Species Name: Callithrix auritaBurnished Saki
Species Name: Pithecia inustaCampbell’s Mona Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus campbelliCapped Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus pileatusCaquetá Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus caquetensisCat Ba Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus poliocephalusCazuza’s Saki
Species Name: Pithecia cazuzaiCentral American Squirrel Monkey
Species Name: Saimiri oerstediiChacma Baboon
Species Name: Papio ursinusChacoan Titi Monkey
Species Name: Plecturocebus pallescensChestnut-bellied Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus caligatusCoastal Black-handed Titi
Species Name: Callicebus melanochirCoimbra Filho’s Titi
Species Name: Callicebus coimbraiCollared Mangabey
Species Name: Cercocebus torquatusCollared Titi
Species Name: Cheracebus torquatusCollins’ Squirrel Monkey
Species Name: Saimiri collinsiColombian Black-handed Titi
Species Name: Cheracebus medemiCommon Marmoset
Species Name: Callithrix jacchusCoppery Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus cupreusCotton-Top Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus oedipusCrab-Eating Macaque
Species Name: Macaca fascicularisCrested Black Macaque
Species Name: Macaca nigraCrested Mona Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus pogoniasCross Marked Langur
Species Name: Presbytis chrysomelasCruz Lima’s Saddleback Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus cruzlimaiDe Brazza’s Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus neglectusDelacour’s Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus delacouriDent’s Mona Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus dentiDiana Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus dianaDrill
Species Name: Mandrillus leucophaeusDryas Monkey
Species Name: Chlorocebus dryasDusky Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus obscurusEast Javan Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus auratusEast Sumatran Banded Langur
Species Name: Presbytis percuraEastern Black-handed Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus ursulaEastern Pygmy Marmoset
Species Name: Cebuella niveiventrisEcuadorian Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus aequatorialisEcuadorian Squirrel Monkey
Species Name: Saimiri macrodonEmilia’s Marmoset
Species Name: Mico emiliaeEmperor Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus imperatorEquatorial Saki
Species Name: Pithecia aequatorialisFoa’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus foaiFormosan Rock Macaque
Species Name: Macaca cyclopisFrançois’ Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus francoisiGabon Talapoin
Species Name: Miopithecus ogouensisGee’s Golden Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus geeiGelada
Species Name: Theropithecus geladaGeoffroy’s Monk Saki
Species Name: Pithecia monachusGeoffroy’s Saddleback Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus nigrifronsGeoffroy’s Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles geoffroyiGeoffroy’s Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus geoffroyiGermain’s Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus germainiGoeldi’s Monkey
Species Name: Callimico goeldiiGold-And-White Marmoset
Species Name: Mico chrysoleucosGolden Angwantibo
Species Name: Arctocebus aureusGolden Lion Tamarin
Species Name: Leontopithecus rosaliaGolden Snub-Nosed Monkey
Species Name: Rhinopithecus roxellanaGolden-Bellied Capuchin
Species Name: Sapajus xanthosternosGolden-Bellied Mangabey
Species Name: Cercocebus chrysogasterGolden-faced Saki
Species Name: Pithecia chrysocephalaGolden-Headed Lion Tamarin
Species Name: Leontopithecus chrysomelasGolden-mantled Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus tripartitusGorontalo Macaque
Species Name: Macaca nigrescensGray Snub-Nosed Monkey
Species Name: Rhinopithecus brelichiGray-Cheeked Mangabey
Species Name: Lophocebus albigenaGray-Shanked Douc Langur
Species Name: Pygathrix cinereaGray’s Bald-faced Saki
Species Name: Pithecia irrorataGreater Spot-Nosed Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus nictitansGreen Monkey
Species Name: Chlorocebus sabaeusGrivet Monkey
Species Name: Chlorocebus aethiopsGuianan Brown Capuchin
Species Name: Sapajus apellaGuianan Saki
Species Name: Pithecia pitheciaGuianan Squirrel Monkey
Species Name: Saimiri sciureusGuianan Weeper Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus olivaceusGuinea Baboon
Species Name: Papio papioGuyanan Red Howler Monkey
Species Name: Alouatta macconnelliHairy Saki
Species Name: Pithecia hirsutaHamadryas Baboon
Species Name: Papio hamadryasHamlyn’s Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus hamlyniHatinh Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus hatinhensisHeck’s Macaque
Species Name: Macaca heckiHershkovitz’s Marmoset
Species Name: Mico intermediusHighland Mangabey
Species Name: Rungwecebus kipunjiHoffmann’s Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus hoffmannsiHooded Capuchin
Species Name: Sapajus cayHose’s Langur
Species Name: Presbytis hoseiHumboldt’s Night Monkey
Species Name: Aotus trivirgatusHumboldt’s Squirrel Monkey
Species Name: Saimiri cassiquiarensisHumboldt’s White Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus albifronsHumboldt’s Woolly Monkey
Species Name: Lagothrix lagothrichaIlliger’s Saddle-Back Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus illigeriIndochinese Black Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus ebenusIndochinese Grey Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus crepusculusIsabel’s Saki
Species Name: Pithecia isabelaJapanese Macaque
Species Name: Macaca fuscataJavan Surili
Species Name: Presbytis comataKaapori Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus kaaporiKashmir Gray Langur
Species Name: Semnopithecus ajaxKinda Baboon
Species Name: Papio kindaeKing Colobus
Species Name: Colobus polykomosLake Baptista Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus baptistaLang’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus langiLaotian Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus laotumLesser Spotted-Nosed Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus petauristaLesson’s Saddle-Back Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus fuscusLion-Tailed Macaque
Species Name: Macaca silenusLomami Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus parmentieriLowe’s Mona Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus loweiLucifer Titi
Species Name: Cheracebus luciferMadidi Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus aureipalatiiMalbrouck
Species Name: Chlorocebus cynosurosMantled Guereza
Species Name: Colobus guerezaMantled Howler Monkey
Species Name: Alouatta palliataMaranhão Red-Handed Howler
Species Name: Alouatta ululataMarca’s Marmoset
Species Name: Mico marcaiMaroon Langur
Species Name: Presbytis rubicundaMartins’ Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus martinsiMaués Marmoset
Species Name: Mico mauesiMentawai Langur
Species Name: Presbytis potenzianiMidas Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus midasMiller’s Langur
Species Name: Presbytis canicrusMiller’s Saki
Species Name: Pithecia milleriMilton’s Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus miltoniMiss Waldron’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus waldronaeMitered Langur
Species Name: Presbytis mitrataMittermeier’s Tapajós Saki
Species Name: Pithecia mittermeieriMona Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus monaMoor Macaque
Species Name: Macaca mauraMottle-faced Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus inustusMount Kilimanjaro Guereza
Species Name: Colobus caudatusMoustached Guenon
Species Name: Cercopithecus cephusMoustached Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus mystaxMunduruku Marmoset
Species Name: Mico mundurukuMyanmar Snub-nosed Monkey
Species Name: Rhinopithecus strykeriNancy Ma’s Night Monkey
Species Name: Aotus nancymaaeNatuna Island Surili
Species Name: Presbytis natunaeNeblina Uakari
Species Name: Cacajao hosomiNepal Gray Langur
Niger Delta Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus epieniNilgiri Langur
Species Name: Semnopithecus johniiNorth Sumatran Leaf Monkey
Species Name: Presbytis thomasiNorthern Muriqui
Species Name: Brachyteles hypoxanthusNorthern Pig-tailed Macaque
Species Name: Macaca leoninaOlive Baboon
Species Name: Papio anubisOlive Colobus
Species Name: Procolobus verusOllala Brothers’ Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus olallaeOrnate Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus ornatusOustalet’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus oustaletiPagai Island Macaque
Species Name: Macaca pagensisPale-Thighed Langur
Species Name: Presbytis siamensisPanamanian Night Monkey
Species Name: Aotus zonalisPanamanian White-faced Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus imitatorParecis Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus parecisPatas Monkey
Species Name: Erythrocebus patasPennant’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus pennantiiPeruvian Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles chamekPeruvian White-fronted Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus yuracusPeruvian Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey
Species Name: Lagothrix flavicaudaPhayre’s Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus phayreiPig-tailed Langur
Species Name: Simias concolorPissinatti’s Bald-faced Saki
Species Name: Pithecia pissinattiiPopa Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus popaPreuss’s Monkey
Species Name: Allochrocebus preussiPreuss’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus preussiPrince Bernhard’s Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus bernhardiProboscis Monkey
Species Name: Nasalis larvatusPurple-faced Langur
Species Name: Semnopithecus vetulusPygmy Marmoset (Finger Monkey)
Species Name: Cebuella pygmaeaRed Howler Monkey
Species Name: Alouatta seniculusRed-backed Bearded Saki
Species Name: Chiropotes sagulatusRed-bellied Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus erythrogasterRed-bellied Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus molochRed-Chested Mustached Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus labiatusRed-eared Guenon
Species Name: Cercopithecus erythrotisRed-handed Howler
Species Name: Alouatta belzebulRed-headed Titi
Species Name: Cheracebus regulusRed-mantled Saddle-Back Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus lagonotusRed-Shanked Douc Langur
Species Name: Pygathrix nemaeusRhesus Macaque
Species Name: Macaca mulattaRio Acari Marmoset
Species Name: Mico acariensisRio Beni Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus modestusRío Cesar White-fronted Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus cesaraeRio Mayo Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus oenantheRobinson’s Banded Langur
Species Name: Presbytis robinsoniRobust Capuchin Monkey
Species Name: Sapajus robustusRoloway Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus rolowayRondon’s Marmoset
Species Name: Mico rondoniRoosmalens’ Dwarf Marmoset
Species Name: Mico humilisRyland’s Bald-faced Saki
Species Name: Pithecia rylandsiSaban Grizzled Langur
Species Name: Presbytis sabanaSanje Mangabey
Species Name: Cercocebus sanjeiSanta Marta White-fronted Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus malitiosusSantarem Marmoset
Species Name: Mico humeraliferSatéré Marmoset
Species Name: Mico satereiSchmidt’s Red-tailed Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus ascaniusSclater’s Guenon
Species Name: Cercopithecus sclateriSelangor Silvered Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus selangorensisSemliki Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus semlikiensisShan State Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus melamerusShock-headed Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus cuscinusShortridge’s Capped Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus shortridgeiSiberut Langur
Species Name: Presbytis siberuSiberut Macaque
Species Name: Macaca siberuSierra De Perijá White-fronted Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus leucocephalusSilvered Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus cristatusSilvery Brown Bare-face Tamarin
Species Name: Saguinus leucopusSilvery Marmoset
Species Name: Mico argentatusSooty Mangabey
Species Name: Cercocebus atysSouthern Muriqui
Species Name: Brachyteles arachnoidesSpix’s Night Monkey
Species Name: Aotus vociferansSpix’s Red-handed Howler
Species Name: Alouatta discolorSpix’s White-fronted Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus unicolorStephen Nash’s Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus stephennashiStump-tailed Macaque
Species Name: Macaca arctoidesSun-Tailed Monkey
Species Name: Allochrocebus solatusSunda Pig-Tailed Macaque
Species Name: Macaca nemestrinaTana River Mangabey
Species Name: Cercocebus galeritusTana River Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus rufomitratusTantalus Monkey
Species Name: Chlorocebus tantalusTarai Gray Langur
Species Name: Semnopithecus hectorTenasserim Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus barbeiThollon’s Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus tholloniTibetan Macaque
Species Name: Macaca thibetanaTonkean Macaque
Species Name: Macaca tonkeanaTonkin Snub-Nosed Monkey
Species Name: Rhinopithecus avunculusToppin’s Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus toppiniToque Macaque
Species Name: Macaca sinicaTufted Gray Langur
Species Name: Semnopithecus priamUdzungwa Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus gordonorumUlindi River Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus lulindicusUrsine Colobus
Species Name: Colobus vellerosusUrsine Howler
Species Name: Alouatta arctoideaUrubamba Brown Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus urubambensisUta Hick’s Bearded Saki
Species Name: Chiropotes utahickiVanzolini’s Bald-faced Saki
Species Name: Pithecia vanzoliniiVaried White-fronted Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus versicolorVariegated Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles hybridusVervet Monkey
Species Name: Chlorocebus pygerythrusVieira’s Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus vieiraiWeddell’s Saddle-Back Tamarin
Species Name: Leontocebus weddelliWeeping Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus castaneusWest Javan Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus mauritiusWestern Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus badiusWhite Marmoset
Species Name: Mico leucippeWhite-bellied Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles belzebuthWhite-Cheeked Macaque
Species Name: Macaca leucogenysWhite-cheeked Spider Monkey
Species Name: Ateles marginatusWhite-eared Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus donacophilusWhite-footed Saki
Species Name: Pithecia albicansWhite-fronted Langur
Species Name: Presbytis frontataWhite-headed Langur
Species Name: Trachypithecus leucocephalusWhite-Headed Marmoset
Species Name: Callithrix geoffroyiWhite-naped Mangabey
Species Name: Cercocebus lunulatusWhite-nosed Saki
Species Name: Chiropotes albinasusWhite-tailed Titi
Species Name: Plecturocebus discolorWhite-Throated Capuchin
Species Name: Cebus capucinusWied’s Marmoset
Species Name: Callithrix kuhliiWolf’s Mona Monkey
Species Name: Cercopithecus wolfiYellow Baboon
Species Name: Papio cynocephalusYucatan Black Howler
Species Name: Alouatta pigraZanzibar Red Colobus
Species Name: Piliocolobus kirkiiFrequently Asked Questions
What are the most common monkey?

The Rhesus macaque is one of the most common monkeys, especially in Asia. Found in diverse habitats, from grasslands to urban areas, they have a wide distribution. Another prevalent species is the Vervet monkey, native to Africa and known for its adaptability to various environments.
What is the most friendliest monkey?

The capuchin monkey is often considered the friendliest among monkey species. Renowned for its sociable behavior, intelligence, and playful nature, it frequently interacts positively with humans, making it a popular choice in the pet trade and entertainment industries. However, like all primates, they have complex needs and can be challenging to care for.
What is a monkey that starts with G?
A monkey that starts with “G” is the “Golden lion tamarin“. It’s a small New World monkey known for its bright reddish-orange fur and mane, resembling a lion’s. They are native to the Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil.
Suggested Reading:
Monkeys Starting with G
What are the two main types of monkeys?
The two types of monkeys are:
Old World Monkeys: Native to Africa and Asia, they include species like baboons, macaques, and colobus monkeys.
New World Monkeys: Found in Central and South America, they include capuchins, howler monkeys, and tamarins.
Old World Monkeys Vs. New World Monkeys
How many types of monkeys are there in the world?
As of 2023, there are over 330 different species of monkeys in the world, classified into two main groups: Old World Monkeys and New World Monkeys.
Which is the smallest monkey?

The smallest monkey is the pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea). It weighs around 100 grams (3.5 ounces) and measures about 4.6 to 6.2 inches (11.7 to 15.8 cm) in length, excluding its tail. Native to the rainforests of the western Amazon Basin in South America, pygmy marmosets are known for their tiny size and distinctive vocalizations.
Monkeys vs. Monkies

Let’s get one of the fundamental confusion out of the way first. Is it monkeys or monkies?
When a noun word ends with “y”, there is always confusion as to whether the plural form ends with “ies” or “ys”.
Many English dictionary sources say the grammar rule is simple. When a noun ends with a vowel followed by y, the plural form gets an “s”; otherwise, it would end with “ies”.
For instance, the plural form of “Dictionary” is “Dictionaries”.
Based on that principle, the plural form of monkey is indeed monkeys.
First Grouping of Primates

An English biologist, St. George Jackson Mivart first published the classification of primates in his book ‘Man and Apes’ in 1873[1]. His categorization of monkeys was based purely on anatomical differences, habits, and geographical distribution. According to this book, the early classification of order Primates contained two sub-groups, namely:
- Group-1: Man, and all the apes, which were first called Anthropoidea.
- Group-2: All Lemurs and the animals most like them were called Lemuroidea; the creatures contained in it when spoken of being generally also termed “Half-apes” or “Lemuroids“.
Modern Grouping of Primates

After so many debates and further data collection and analyses and discoveries of new monkey species over a century, another British-born biological anthropologist, Robert D. Martin, currently a curator at Chicago Natural Museum, has published an excellent book called “Primate Origins and Evolution: A Phylogenetic Reconstruction” in 1994[2]. This research attempted to classify living primates into 6 different sub-groups based on geographical importance.
1 | Lemurs | Madagascar | |
2 | Lorises and bushbabies | Africa and Asia | Prosimians |
3 | Tarsiers | Southeast Asia | |
4 | Marmosets, Tamarins, Capuchins, Squirrel monkeys, Owl monkeys, Titis, Sakis, and Howlers (Ceboidea) | South and Latin America | New World Monkeys |
5 | Talapoins, Guenons, Baboons, Colobus, Macaques, Vervets, Geladas, Mangabeys, Langurs, Mandrills, Surili, Patas, Proboscis Monkeys (Cercopithecoids meaning “elongated apes“) | Africa and Asia | Old World Monkeys |
6 | Apes and humans (Hominoids) | Africa and Asia | Apes |
This primate grouping is based on grade or level of organization, and in no way does it implies any superiority or inferiority between them.
According to the fossil study in Tanzania by paleontologists in 2013[3], it became evident that the old-world monkeys (baboons, macaques) and apes (humans & chimpanzees) were already separated 25 million years ago!
Classification of Primates
Here are 4 major types of primate and their characteristics:
Prosimians
The earliest primates that roamed the earth about 25 million years before monkeys evolved were Prosimians, meaning “pre-monkeys” or “proto-primates”.
- These prosimian species live today, including lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, aye-aye, and bush babies. The prosimians were classified into order Primates mainly because their hands with flexible fingers and opposable thumbs made it possible to fetch things up.
- Most prosimians rely heavily on a sense of smell for communication and finding food. With the tarsier, eyesight has become more critical as it can swivel its head 180 degrees in each direction. On the other hand, the apes and monkeys rely primarily on their sight.
Today, Prosimians live in some parts of Asia and Africa, especially Madagascar. No prosimian species are found in the Americas or Australia.
Old-World Monkeys
Old World Monkeys are a mixed group of primates with varied body sizes (medium to large-sized), habitats, diets, social behaviors, and anatomical differences.
- All Old-World monkeys are classified under two families: Cercopithecinae and Colobinae.
- Unique characteristics-wise, Old-World monkeys have downward-pointing nostrils, tend to stay mainly on the ground than trees (non-arboreal), and have a simple digestive system with cheek pouches for plant matters. Also, these primates have a tail which makes them different from apes.
- The Old-World monkeys hail from various countries in South and East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, except for Madagascar.
New-World Monkeys
New World monkeys are a varied group of small to medium-sized arboreal (i.e., living on trees) primates.
- These primates are restricted to the tropical forests of Southern Mexico and Central and Latin America.
- Taxonomically, New World monkeys are classified into two prominent families Cebidae and Callitricidae.
- Exclusive attributes-wise, these kinds of monkeys are primarily herbivores, twin births, and no-cheek-pouches unlike Old-World counterparts, and some have a prehensile tail (Spider monkeys).
Apes
Apes are another clade of old-world monkeys collectively called Hominoidea, native to Africa and Southeast Asian countries.
- Apes do not have tails (except L’Hoest monkey – a great ape) due to the mutation of the TXBT[4] gene cell.
- Also, apes cannot perform brachiation (arm swinging in the arboreal movements on tree tops, unlike the other three kinds listed above).
- There are two main branches of apes: gibbons (“lesser apes”) and hominids (“great apes”). Orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos are examples of greater apes, whereas the lesser apes contain all types of gibbons, including Lar gibbon, Agile gibbon, Silvery gibbon, and more.
Hominoids are swift tree climbers except for gorillas and humans. Apes feed on various plants such as fruits, leaves, stalks, seeds, roots, and small animals.
Monkey Data Analysis
The BioExplorer team has explored the statistics around all 334 types of monkeys, including Old-World and New-world, and come up with some interesting data analysis and charts as a quick reference guide:
Distrbution of Old-World and New-World Monkeys:

Old-World Monkey Distribution By Species:

New-World Monkey Distribution By Species:

Monkeys Distribution By Continents:

Monkeys Distribution By Families:

Monkeys Distribution By IUCN Status:

Monkeys Distribution By Diet:

Monkeys Taxonomy Classification By Century:

Monkeys Taxonomy Classification By Year:

Types of Monkeys By Alphabets
Monkey Names Starting with A
Monkey Names Starting with C
Monkey Names Starting with E
Monkey Names Starting with G
Monkey Names Starting with I
Monkey Names Starting with K
Monkey Names Starting with M
Monkey Names Starting with O
Monkey Names Starting with R
Monkey Names Starting with T
Monkey Names Starting with V
Monkey Names Starting with Y
Monkey Names Starting with B
Monkey Names Starting with D
Monkey Names Starting with F
Monkey Names Starting with H
Monkey Names Starting with J
Monkey Names Starting with L
Monkey Names Starting with N
Monkey Names Starting with P
Monkey Names Starting with S
Monkey Names Starting with U
Monkey Names Starting with W
Monkey Names Starting with Z