Wild Florida - a series from WPBT Channel 2

Vervet, Photo by: Alexander Landfair

MONKEYS VS. APES
Although many people incorrectly refer to great apes as monkeys there is a distinct difference between the two. One of the most noticeable differences between the two is that most monkeys have tails while great apes do not. There are approximately 264 monkey species ranging from the Americas to Africa and Asia. There are 14 species of apes including gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans which are located in Africa and Southeast Asia. Monkeys are much smaller than apes and have arms that are equal or shorter in length than their legs. Another key difference is that monkeys have hair on their faces while apes do not. They are also widely considered less intelligent than their great ape counter-parts.

THE PET TRADE
Monkeys are irresistable to watch; they are cute, inquisitive and love to have a good time. People are so taken with these animals that the demand for pet monkeys is increasing. Many experts believe that this is a bad idea not only for the monkeys, but for the humans as well. Many monkeys that become pets were once wild so the issue of animals being taken out of their natural environment and away from their family is a great one. Also it is illegal in the U.S. to have monkeys in the home unless there is a permit.

While monkeys are cute and cuddly when they are young, they will grow up and wreak havoc in the home. Monkeys require constant attention, mental stimulation and socialization. Bored monkeys will become destructive, even throwing their feces around and biting. As the monkey grows older it may become wild and aggressive towards its owners. Housing the monkeys and providing food for them is also very expensive. The best thing to do is to watch and admire these creatures from afar and smile knowing that your home is still in one piece.

Resources for this article have been provided by Wikipedia.

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