People born in the 9th year of the Chinese zodiac, or the year of the monkey, are supposedly intelligent, lively, and creative, but might also be selfish and impatient.

Bald uakari (Cacajao calvus) have striking red faces. In fact, scientists believe that the brighter the face, the healthier these New World monkeys are. They also have excellent color vision, which helps them pick the healthiest mates during breeding season.

The Burmese sneezing monkey (Rhinopithecus strykeri), also called the Burmese snub-nosed monkey, is known in local dialects of Lisu people as mey nwoah and Law Waw people as myuk na tok te, both of which mean "monkey with an upturned face". Rain allegedly causes it to sneeze due to the short upturned nasal flesh around its nostrils. People from the area report that it sits with its head directed downwards, hiding its face between its knees when it rains.

Marcel was Ross Geller's pet white-headed capuchin monkey (Cebus capucinus) during season 1. In one episode, "The One Where The Monkey Gets Away," Rachel has to look after Marcel, who escapes while they are watching a soap opera together. She quickly reports him missing, much to the fury of Ross, as Marcel is an illegal exotic animal.