Monkeys 'learn to eat soil to cope with junk food'
Summary
Monkeys in Gibraltar have started eating soil to help their stomachs cope with junk food they get from tourists. Researchers say the soil may protect their digestive system from the harmful effects of sugary and fatty snacks.Key Facts
- Gibraltar macaques eat junk food like chocolate, crisps, and ice cream, which can upset their stomachs.
- To manage this, some monkeys swallow soil, which helps protect their guts from irritation.
- This soil-eating behavior seems to be learned and varies among different groups of monkeys.
- Soil may provide minerals and bacteria missing in the monkeys’ usual natural diet.
- Junk food is high in calories, sugar, salt, and dairy, which can cause digestive problems for macaques.
- The soil acts as a barrier in the stomach, reducing absorption of harmful substances from junk food.
- Scientists observed about 12 soil-eating events per week among the macaque population.
- This behavior developed because the monkeys are often near humans and have access to their food.
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