Monkey Day, celebrated on December 14, is part playful holiday and part conservation awareness day. It celebrates monkeys and other non-human primates, from tiny marmosets to large baboons, and encourages people to learn about the threats many species face in the wild. It started as a lighthearted idea between two art students and has grown into an international observance supported by zoos, wildlife groups and animal lovers.
History of Monkey Day
Monkey Day was created in 2000 by Casey Sorrow and Eric Millikin, two art students at Michigan State University. Sorrow scribbled 'Monkey Day' on a friend's calendar as a joke, and the pair began celebrating it, promoting it through their comics and artwork. The idea spread among artists and online communities, and over time, zoos, sanctuaries and conservation organizations embraced it as a way to raise awareness about primates.
Today, Monkey Day is marked with zoo events, educational programs, fundraisers and costume parties. It's a reminder that monkeys are among the most intelligent and social animals on the planet.
There are more than 260 known species of monkeys, divided into two main groups: New World monkeys from Central and South America, such as capuchins and howler monkeys, and Old World monkeys from Africa and Asia, such as baboons and macaques. Apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, are primates but not monkeys; one easy way to tell is that monkeys usually have tails and apes don't.
Why Monkey Day Matters
Many primate species are threatened by habitat loss, hunting and the illegal pet trade. Monkey Day helps raise awareness and funds for their protection.
Monkeys also help ecosystems by spreading seeds through the forests where they live, so protecting them helps protect entire habitats.
How to Celebrate Monkey Day
- Visit a zoo or sanctuary: many hold special Monkey Day activities.
- Learn a new species: read about a monkey you've never heard of.
- Support conservation: donate to a reputable primate conservation group.
- Avoid exotic pet trade: never buy monkeys as pets.
- Get creative: draw or write about monkeys, in honor of the day's artist founders.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, share fun monkey facts in a team chat, or organize a small donation drive for a primate sanctuary. In classrooms, students can research different monkey species, compare New World and Old World monkeys on a map, and learn the difference between monkeys and apes. Art classes can honor the day's origins by drawing comics or illustrations of monkeys. At home, watch a wildlife documentary, read a nonfiction book about primates, or visit a local zoo. Talk with children about why wild animals belong in their natural habitats and how deforestation affects animals that live in trees. Cook a banana-based treat together to keep things fun.
Fun Facts About Monkey Day
- Monkey Day was created in 2000 by two Michigan State University art students.
- There are more than 260 species of monkeys.
- Most monkeys have tails; apes do not.
Monkey Day FAQs
When is Monkey Day?
Monkey Day is December 14 every year.
Who created Monkey Day?
Art students Casey Sorrow and Eric Millikin at Michigan State University in 2000.
Are apes monkeys?
No. Apes like chimpanzees and gorillas are primates but not monkeys, and usually have no tails.
How many species of monkeys are there?
More than 260 species are known.