Cercopithecid

/ˌsɜːrkoʊˈpɪθɪsɪd/ noun

Definition

A member of the family of primates that includes Old World monkeys such as baboons, macaques, and guenons, characterized by a long tail and cheek pouches.

Etymology

From Greek 'kerkos' (tail) + 'pithekos' (ape/monkey) + '-id' (member of group), named by Linnaeus in the 1700s for these tail-bearing primates.

Kelly Says

Cercopithecids evolved cheek pouches—basically built-in snack bags inside their faces—that let them hoard food while still having free hands to climb and escape predators.

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