Home / Science / Monkeys Eat Dirt to Stomach Junk Food
Monkeys Eat Dirt to Stomach Junk Food
22 Apr
Summary
- Gibraltar macaques ingest soil to counteract junk food's digestive upset.
- Soil may provide beneficial bacteria and minerals absent from processed snacks.
- Dirt-eating behavior is learned socially and increases during tourist season.
Monkeys inhabiting Gibraltar have adopted a peculiar survival strategy, consuming soil to alleviate digestive discomfort stemming from a diet of junk food. Research indicates that these macaques ingest dirt to buffer their systems against the ill effects of sweets and salty snacks, which are readily available from tourists. This behavior is thought to help line the gut, mitigating irritation from excessive sugar and fat.
Scientists further suggest that the ingested soil contributes vital bacteria and minerals absent in the macaques' processed diet. Observations revealed that monkeys in frequent contact with tourists exhibited higher rates of soil consumption, particularly during peak holiday seasons. This behavior is believed to be socially learned, with different troops showing preferences for specific soil types.
The study, which observed hundreds of soil-eating events, suggests this practice allows the macaques to continue indulging in calorie-rich human foods without severe gastrointestinal consequences. This adaptation is seen as a cultural development driven by close proximity to humans, mimicking other learned behaviors in primates.
