Gibraltar’s monkeys eat mud ‘to avoid upset stomachs from tourist junk food’
Summary
Monkeys living on Gibraltar have started eating soil, possibly to help their stomachs after eating junk food given by tourists. Scientists think the soil might protect their digestion from the unhealthy snacks the monkeys consume.Key Facts
- Gibraltar is home to about 230 Barbary macaque monkeys living in eight groups.
- The monkeys eat soil, a behavior called geophagy, mostly during peak tourist seasons.
- Monkeys that have the most contact with tourists eat the most soil.
- Tourists and locals feed the monkeys junk food like chips, chocolate, ice-cream, and soda.
- Scientists believe the soil helps balance the monkeys’ gut bacteria, which junk food can disrupt.
- Groups of monkeys isolated from tourists were not seen eating soil.
- The monkeys seem to learn soil-eating from each other and prefer different types of soil depending on their group.
- Tourists are advised not to feed or touch the monkeys, but this rule is not well enforced.
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