Monkeys are among our closest relatives in terms of DNA, and like humans, they can be found in nearly every corner of the Earth. From hot springs and volcanic craters to deserts and rainforests, monkeys thrive in a wide range of diverse and challenging environments.
Compared to humans, monkeys already have quite unusual features, but you haven’t seen anything until you’ve encountered one with a grand moustache or another with no visible nose at all. Of the roughly 600 impressive species of monkeys on Earth, these ten stand out with the strangest facial appearances that are sure to astonish you.
Proboscis Monkey
Endemic to the forests of Borneo, the Proboscis monkey boasts the largest nose of any monkey alive. In adult males, the snout can protrude up to 4 inches (10cm). This impressive nose doesn’t just alter the pitch of their calls to attract females — it also serves as a sign of strong genetic fitness. Sadly, these monkeys are highly endangered due to the destruction of their forest habitats. Interestingly, they are also excellent swimmers, preferring to stay in trees or rivers where predators such as jaguars cannot reach them.
Black Snub-nosed Monkey
From a monkey with an excessive supply of nose to one that appears to have none at all, the Black Snub-nosed monkey is a true spectacle. Discovered only in 2010, this rare species is already critically endangered, largely due to hunting by local communities. With a dense, furry coat covering much of its face, the monkey’s eyes seem to recede into its forehead. Its most noticeable facial feature is a pair of large lips, as the other features almost disappear into its thick fur. Found in parts of Myanmar and Central China, there may be fewer than 100 individuals left in the wild.
White-faced Saki
Often referred to as “flying monkeys,” these agile South American primates can leap an impressive 30 feet between branches. Although their tails are not prehensile, they compensate with strong, muscular limbs. Born brown, males develop sleek black fur and a striking white face as they mature, making them highly attractive to females.
Bald Uakari
If you’ve ever wanted to see a monkey with a bright red, almost glowing face, the Bald Uakari is a sight to behold. These monkeys have bald heads and reddish faces, while the rest of their bodies are covered in rusty brown or orange fur. Their short tails aren’t useful for gripping branches, but their strong limbs more than compensate. Found in the Amazon, their numbers are in decline due to deforestation and habitat loss, compounded by their slow reproduction rate — females typically give birth only once every two years.
Gelada
Unlike most monkeys, Geladas prefer life on the ground, inhabiting the steep rocky cliffs of the Ethiopian Highlands. They live in large groups of up to 100 individuals, led by an alpha male. Their slim faces and pointed noses give them a somewhat menacing appearance, especially when they flip their upper lips to intimidate rivals. However, their most distinctive feature is the vivid red patch on their chests, earning them the nickname “blood-chested monkeys.”
Buffy-tufted Marmoset
Sometimes called the “skull-faced marmoset,” the Buffy-tufted marmoset has a white face that resembles a skull mask. Native to the Atlantic coastal forests of southeastern Brazil, these monkeys differ from other marmosets in that they primarily feed on insects. Their strange appearance is completed by a golden-brown crown and small white ear tufts, giving them a striking but somewhat eerie look.
De Brazza’s Monkey
Nicknamed the “Gandalf of monkeys,” De Brazza’s Monkey sports a long, flowing white beard that gives it a wise, elder-like appearance. The white facial hair extends around the mouth, creating a look that resembles a bearded sage from folklore. A golden crown-like marking on the forehead further distinguishes this unique monkey. It can be found in the dense forests of central Africa.
Emperor Tamarin
Among the smallest monkeys in the world, Emperor Tamarins grow to about the size of a large squirrel. They inhabit the Amazon rainforest and, like many rainforest species, are endangered. These monkeys are best known for their elegant, white handlebar moustaches, giving them a perpetually stern yet endearing expression. Their moustaches are a stark contrast to the rest of their silvery-grey coats.
Tarsiers
Tarsiers are tiny, mouse-sized primates once found across the globe. Today, fewer than a dozen species remain, most residing in the forests of Southeast Asia. Domestic cats, mistaking them for prey, have contributed to their decline. Tarsiers have huge eyes; each eye is roughly the same size as their brain, giving them the largest eye-to-body ratio of any mammal. Combined with their powerful hind legs, they are incredibly agile, easily leaping between trees.
Siamang
At first glance, the Siamang appears to be a relatively normal-looking monkey — until it opens its mouth. Beneath its throat is a large inflatable pouch, which expands dramatically when the monkey calls out. Once inflated, the pouch can grow as large as the monkey’s head, allowing them to produce some of the loudest calls in the animal kingdom. Native to the Malay Archipelago, Siamangs are less endangered than some of their rainforest neighbours but still face threats from habitat loss.
Have you ever spotted any of these incredible monkeys before? Or perhaps you know of another strange-looking species we haven’t covered?
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