What Is a Monkey?
A monkey is a mammal. It has fur, breathes air and can hold things with its hands.
Some monkeys live in trees. Others spend more time on the ground.
Monkey
A monkey is a furry animal. It has two hands, two feet and a clever brain. Many monkeys live in forests and climb trees.
Fun Facts About Monkeys
- There are hundreds of kinds of monkey.
- Monkeys can live in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
- A group of monkeys is called a troop.
- Monkeys use sounds and faces to share messages.
Easy learning for little ones
Talk and Move
Try one short prompt at a time. Children can point, speak or copy the movement.
- 1
Point to the monkey's hands.
- 2
Say “monkey” and make a quiet chattering sound.
- 3
Pretend to climb carefully with both hands.
Home, Food and Movement
- Home: forests, mountains and grasslands
- Food: fruit, leaves, seeds and insects
- Movement: walks, runs, climbs and jumps
- Sound: chatters, whoops and howls
Easy Practice Sentences
Easy: I see a monkey.
Medium: The monkey holds a branch.
Challenge: The monkey climbs with its hands and feet.
Say each sentence aloud and point to the picture.
Activity Idea
Make a playful monkey picture.
- Draw a monkey with a round face.
- Add two hands and two feet.
- Draw a tree and some fruit.
- Tell a grown-up how your monkey moves.
This activity helps children draw, speak and learn about movement.
Monkey Body Parts
- Eyes: help the monkey see
- Hands: help it hold food and branches
- Feet: help it climb and balance
- Tail: helps many monkeys balance
- Fur: covers its body
Look and Think
- What colour is the monkey?
- Can you point to its hands?
- Can you find its feet?
- Does the monkey have a tail?
Learning Safely About Monkeys
- Monkeys are wild animals. Never go near one.
- Never touch or feed a monkey.
- Stay with a grown-up at the zoo.
- Always stay behind the safety fence.
Compare and Think
- Monkey and gorilla: both can climb, but a gorilla is much bigger.
- Monkey and chimpanzee: both have hands, but a chimpanzee has no tail.
- Monkey and cat: both have fur, but a monkey can hold things with its hands.
Life in a Monkey Group
Many monkeys live together in a troop. They play, find food and watch for danger.
Grown-up monkeys look after the babies. Young monkeys learn by watching and playing.
Why Monkeys Need Protection
Monkeys need safe places to live. They also need enough food and clean water.
People can protect the forests where monkeys live.
Monkey Words to Learn
- Troop: a group of monkeys
- Climb: to move up something
- Fur: hair that covers an animal's body
- Tail: a body part that can help with balance
- Habitat: an animal's home
Check understanding
Quick Questions
Say each answer aloud. Then check it with a grown-up.
Q1
What can a monkey use to hold food?
Answer
A monkey can use its hands.
Q2
Name one food a monkey may eat.
Answer
A monkey may eat fruit, leaves or seeds.
Q3
What is a group of monkeys called?
Answer
A group of monkeys is called a troop.
Q4
Where do many monkeys live?
Answer
Many monkeys live in forests.