PrimatesThe Difference Between Old

World Monkeys and New World Monkeys.

By: Karina Montoya

New World Monkeys

New world monkeys have flat noses with nostrils that face to the side.

These noses are called platyrrhine noses. The monkey shown to the right is the Golden Lion

Tamarin showing off his very distinctive platyrrhine nose.

New World Monkeys’ Tails

New world monkeys are the only monkeys with prehensile tails.

Most new world monkeys are arboreal. The Emperor Tamarin to the right has a perfect

example of a long prehensile tail.

New World Monkeys’ Nails

Most primates have nails instead of claws.

The nails help the primate feel and grab things just like how a human would.

The type of primates that are an exception to this characteristic are the tamarins.

This is example of how a tamarin has claws instead of nails.

To the left is another picture of an Emperor Tamarin using its claws to climb trees.

New World Monkeys’ Tail The final new world monkey that I saw during my trip to the zoo was

the Crested Capuchin. It is usually known as a helper monkey, because it is usually a guide

animal to a person who is need of the services. It is also one of the most easily trained primates, therefore it is used

in many commercials and movies. It also has a curled tail that is prehensile meaning it could be used

as a third arm.

Below is the Crested Capuchin which moves in brachiation , it also is showing off its very curled prehensile tail.

Old World Monkeys

Old world monkeys are just very different from new world monkeys.

For instance they do not any form of a prehensile tail, which basically means the do not have the advantages of a extra limb.

To the right is a picture of a pair of Chimps. As you can see, they do not have any form of a tail.

Old World Monkeys’ Eating Habits

Old world monkeys are also omnivorous.

This means that the primate eats both meat and vegetables, fruits, and plants.

The chimp to the right is enjoying a quick and healthy snack.

Old World Monkeys’ Face Chimps also have a flat

face. This is due to its binocular

vision. One more interesting fact

about these chimps is the fact that they always hunt in groups.

The chimp on the top is a great example of a flat face.

The chimps on the bottom show how many of these chimps hunt in groups in the wild.

Old World Monkeys’ Noses

Old world monkeys have a very unusual nose. This type of primate has a catarrhine nose. The nostrils on a catarrhine nose face downwards, where as in a platyrrhine nose they

would face to the side. Above are two examples of how the nose of a orangutan differs from the nose of the

Crested Capuchin. The one of the left is the Crested Capuchin which has tiny nostrils that face to the side. The picture on the right is of a orangutan, which has nostrils that face downwards.

Fun Facts !

The Siamangs to the left use breakiation to move around. They have throat sacs that fill with air, and they act like a

chamber to augment. The Siamangs most powerful asset is its very loud voice. It is a arboreal type of gibbon.