Scientists believe a species of monkeys used a raft to cross 160 kilometers of ocean from South to North America about 21 million years ago.
The monkeys are similar to today’s capuchins, small monkeys that often perform with humans at the circus.
Scientists found seven monkey teeth that became fossils in an area near the Panama Canal. The teeth were more than five million years old. Scientists think that is when the continents of North and South America came together.Words in This Story
monkey – n. type of animal that is closely related to apes and humans and that has a long tail and usually lives in trees
fossil – n. something (such as a leaf, skeleton, or footprint) that is from a plant or animal which lived in ancient times and that you can see in some rocks
mammal – n. a type of animal that feeds milk to its young and that usually has hair or fur covering most of its skin
raft – n. a flat structure that is used for floating or sailing on water
sloth – n. a type of animal that lives in trees in South and Central America and that moves very slowly
kangaroo – n. an Australian animal that moves by hopping on its powerful rear legs
koala– n. an Australian animal that has thick gray fur, large hairy ears, sharp claws for climbing, and no tail
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