Monkey Diet

Generally speaking, monkeys need to be fed high-carbohydrate foods with a focus on complex carbohydrates. They should also eat a diet rich in vegetables. These meals should not be overly fatty or protein-heavy as these types of proteins tend to increase cholesterol and blood pressure.

Most monkeys are omnivorous and can eat both plants and animals, but their diets tend to be more tilted toward plant matter than animal products. For example, chimpanzees get 95% of their calories from plants while consuming only 6% meat and invertebrates. The same is true of many New World monkey species and a number of Old World monkeys.

Monkeys are very social creatures and do best living in groups, known as troops. Some of these troop structures are all-male and some include one male leader who is challenged by other males to compete for females. The most common troop structure, however, is a multi-male and multi-female group, where females are shared between the different males in the troop.

Infant monkeys are raised by their mothers or grandmothers and some older monkeys may be foster mothers for infants of other monkeys in the same troop. The TNPRC maintains a nursery for these infant monkeys so they can be cared for and nurtured until they are ready to be placed in new homes.

In general, monkeys enjoy most fruits. They can be a good source of vitamins and minerals and are also an excellent energy source. Some species, such as apes and some spider monkeys, have long tails that can grasp branches to reach fruit that is high up in the trees.