Monkey facts & stats

Question 1

About how many species of New World monkeys, found in Central and South America, exist?

Accepted Answer

about 132 species. New World monkeys are split across five families, from tiny marmosets to howler monkeys.

Question 2

About how much does the world's smallest monkey, the pygmy marmoset, weigh?

Accepted Answer

just over 100 grams. A pygmy marmoset is small enough to fit comfortably in an adult's palm.

Question 3

About how much can the world's largest monkey, the male mandrill, weigh?

Accepted Answer

up to 36 kg (79 lb). Mandrills are also famous for the bright blue and red coloring on their faces.

Question 4

In what year did the first monkey, Albert II, fly into space aboard a US rocket?

Accepted Answer

1949. Albert II flew aboard a V-2 rocket, though he sadly did not survive the landing.

Question 5

In which decade were the most new primate species discovered and described?

Accepted Answer

2010s (36 new species). Scientists are still finding new primate species even today, mostly in remote forests.

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