A monkey is a primate that is also a member of the superfamily Ceboidea (New World monkeys), found in South and Central America, or Cercopithecoidea (Old World monkeys), found in Asia and Africa. Monkeys are long-tailed, medium-bodied, and either arboreal or terrestrial quadrupeds. New World monkeys include the capuchins, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, and marmosets. Old World monkeys include the macaques, baboons, and langur monkeys. The main different between the two is in their nose shape. Old World monkeys have their nostrils closer set which gives them a pronouced nose. The nostrils of New World monkeys are set wide apart giving them a flattish nose.

 

The sacred langur, found in forests of South-East Asia, is an Old World monkey, a primate, and belongs to the family Cercopithecidae. Like other primates the sacred langur is a social creartureand lives in a group comprising up to 40 individuals dominated by an adult male. These monkeys are known as leaf-monkeys and they have a vegetable diet which includes fruits as well as foliage. They are arboreal animals, and grow to about 1 m (39 in) long, with tail

 

Grasping or prehensile tails are found only in species of New World monkeys but all monkeys, with one exception (the night monkeys or douroucoulis) are diurnal; they sleep at night and are awake during the day. Both types of monkeys are social animals, living in groups with a well-developed hierarchy. Some Old World forms such as the baboons, have largely deserted the trees to take up life on the ground. But they are still good climbers and when threatened can scamper to safety among branches or rocks.

 

Movement

 

 

Most monkeys, such as the langur (family Cercopithecidae), scamper between branches, holding on with both hands and feet and using their long tails for balance.

 

 

Some monkeys, such as the macaque (family Cercopithecidae), walk on all fours, putting their ands flat on the ground.