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Judi Lynn

(160,219 posts)
Sat Jun 18, 2016, 01:36 AM Jun 2016

Here's why there are no monkeys native to North America



Here's why there are no monkeys native to North America

Damn.

JOSH HRALA
17 JUN 2016

North America has its fair share of awesome creatures roaming around, but there’s one group of animals that never took root: monkeys. There are a few wild monkeys in Mexico, but in the US and Canada? None.

And when you think about it, that doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, because there are monkeys thriving in vastly different environments all over the world. In Japan, snow monkeys love the chill of mountain air, while howler monkeys love the hot and humid climate of the Amazon rainforest. So, if monkeys can exist in all kinds of climates, why not North America?

Before we dive into that question, we need to first discuss a time period known as the Eocene Epoch, which – based on the fossil record – researchers think stretched from 56 to 33.9 million years ago.

During this time, greenhouse gases trapped inside Earth’s atmosphere caused a heat wave of epic proportions that allowed tropical rainforests to cover the globe - researchers have even found evidence that palm trees used to flourish in places like Alaska.

. . .

[center] [/center]

More:
http://www.sciencealert.com/why-are-there-no-monkeys-in-north-america

[center]


Howler Monkeys in Costa Rica.

Who wouldn't love them? [/center]
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Here's why there are no monkeys native to North America (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jun 2016 OP
K&R!!!!!! burrowowl Jun 2016 #1
Can't say I miss them. JohnnyRingo Jun 2016 #2
"There are a few wild monkeys in Mexico" awoke_in_2003 Jun 2016 #3
If I remember correctly greiner3 Jun 2016 #4
Uh, I think that would be... DreamGypsy Jun 2016 #6
Wait a minute...President Chimpster wasn't born here? chknltl Jun 2016 #5

JohnnyRingo

(18,581 posts)
2. Can't say I miss them.
Sat Jun 18, 2016, 04:08 AM
Jun 2016

I have enough trouble with groundhogs and raccoons as it is. I don't need monkeys climbing around the house tearing down eave spouts, throwing garbage cans, and jumping on the cars.

They can keep all the cobras too. hahaha

 

awoke_in_2003

(34,582 posts)
3. "There are a few wild monkeys in Mexico"
Sat Jun 18, 2016, 09:43 PM
Jun 2016

Are they not native, or is Mexico no longer considered part of North America?

 

greiner3

(5,214 posts)
4. If I remember correctly
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:01 PM
Jun 2016

It has to do with Panacea breaking up. Africa and South America broke up and the primates evolved very differently going forward. North America also drifted westward but was not attached via Central America until very recently. So pondering your question, I demure to experts whether Mexican monkeys are indigenous or escaped as pets from tourists.

DreamGypsy

(2,252 posts)
6. Uh, I think that would be...
Mon Jun 27, 2016, 12:42 AM
Jun 2016

...Pangaea

Panaceas don't really exist, although we would like them to...

The panacea /pænəˈsiːə/, named after the Greek goddess of universal remedy Panakeia, Panacea, also known as panchrest, was supposed to be a remedy that would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely.


The closest things to a panacea that humanity has discovered are dogs and beer.



chknltl

(10,558 posts)
5. Wait a minute...President Chimpster wasn't born here?
Fri Jun 24, 2016, 03:31 AM
Jun 2016

Why oh why wasn't George's birth cirtificate discussed at DU back then?

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