Monkeys are found across the American continents, spanning both North and South America. While a diversity of monkey species naturally inhabits the tropical regions of Central and South America, some non-native populations have established themselves in parts of North America. These populations have different origins, being either indigenous or introduced through human activities. This distinction helps clarify where monkeys are present and how they came to reside there.
Native Monkey Populations
The majority of monkeys native to the Americas, known as New World monkeys, reside in the tropical forests of Central and South America. These primates primarily live within the tree canopies, adapted to arboreal habitats. Their distribution extends from southern Mexico through Central America and deep into South America, reaching as far south as northern Argentina.
Capuchin monkeys are widely distributed across Central and South America, inhabiting various forest types including tropical rainforests, dry forests, and mangrove swamps. These intelligent primates are known for their adaptability and omnivorous diets, consuming fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. Howler monkeys, recognized for their loud vocalizations that can travel for several kilometers, are also prevalent throughout Central and South American tropical forests. They are among the largest New World monkeys and primarily consume leaves.
Spider monkeys are another group of New World monkeys found in tropical forests from southern Mexico to Brazil. These agile primates utilize their long limbs and prehensile tails to navigate the upper layers of the rainforest canopy, feeding mainly on fruits. Other native species include squirrel monkeys, titi monkeys, and tamarins, each occupying specific niches within these rich ecosystems.
Non-Native Monkey Presence
Beyond native species in Central and South America, certain monkey populations have established themselves in areas where they are not indigenous, particularly in North America. These non-native populations are often considered “feral,” meaning they are wild animals descended from domesticated or captive ancestors. Florida is a notable location for such populations, with rhesus macaques and vervet monkeys present.
Rhesus macaques were first introduced to Silver Springs, Florida, in the 1930s by a tour boat operator who released them on an island to attract tourists. These macaques, being strong swimmers, readily left the island and established a free-ranging population within the nearby state park and along the Ocklawaha River. Another rhesus macaque population was introduced to Key Lois and Raccoon Key in the Florida Keys in the 1970s for biomedical research, though these were later removed.
Vervet monkeys also exist as a non-native population in Dania Beach, Florida, originating from escapes from a research facility in the 1940s. These monkeys, native to West Africa, have persisted in mangrove forests near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Significant research colonies of rhesus macaques were also established on islands off Puerto Rico, such as Cayo Santiago, beginning in 1938 for scientific study. These populations, though managed, are free-ranging on their respective islands.
Ecological and Public Health Considerations
The presence of non-native monkey populations can introduce several ecological and public health considerations. Ecologically, introduced species can disrupt local ecosystems through competition for resources with native wildlife or by altering habitats. For instance, rhesus macaques in the Florida Keys caused significant damage by destroying mangroves. While the impact of Florida’s vervet monkeys on the local ecosystem has not been widely reported as negative, their counterparts in native and other introduced ranges are known for crop raiding.
From a public health perspective, interactions between humans and feral monkeys raise concerns about disease transmission. Rhesus macaques, including those in Florida, are known carriers of the herpes B virus, which is typically asymptomatic in monkeys but can be severe or even fatal if transmitted to humans. Transmission can occur through bites, scratches, or contact with the monkey’s bodily fluids. Although human cases are rare, with few documented instances from wild monkeys, health authorities advise against approaching or feeding these animals to minimize risk.