Question

Which monkey has a prehensile tail?
A. Spider monkey
B. Semnopithecus
C. Rhesus monkey
D. Bonnet monkey

Answer 1

Hint: A prehensile tail of an animal is when the tail has adapted to grasp or hold objects. The term prehensile came from the Latin word meaning "able to grasp". A Prehensile tail can be used to hold objects, and in particular to aid arboreal creatures to find and eat food on the trees. Monkeys in the family Atelidae, such as the spider monkey, are the only primates to have prehensile tails.

Complete answer:A prehensile tail is a result of evolution where the tail has the capacity to hold and manipulate objects. This was derived from the word Latin word prehendere meaning “able to grasp”. This feature is used by several tree climbing organisms to aid climbing and even facilitate eating at dangerous heights.
The tail is said to be fully prehensile only if it is capable of holding and manipulating objects. If the tail cannot perform these functions, then it is said to be a partially prehensile tail which is mainly used for support and balance. The prehensile tail is seen in several species such as opossums, anteaters, binturong, and even in new world monkeys.
New world monkeys are monkeys that have drastically evolved from the early primates and are found in south and north America, whereas old world monkeys are primates that haven’t evolved drastically and are the ones found in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Some new world monkeys such as the spider monkey and the woolly monkey are the only known primates to possess a prehensile tail. Whereas old world monkeys do not possess a prehensile tail.

Therefore, the correct option is A.

Note:Old World monkeys include the Rhesus monkey, the Bonnet monkey, and the Gray langur (Semnopithecius) are old world monkeys and do not have a prehensile tail. These primates have a partially prehensile tail as they are used for balance and support while climbing trees but do not have the capacity to grasp onto branches or other objects.