Monkeys Are Omnivorous

monkey

Whether you’re thinking of bananas or frogs, monkeys are omnivorous and can eat both plants and animals. However, New World monkey species tend to lean much more toward plant matter for their calories. Some, like lion-tailed macaques, have very diverse diets that include fruit, nuts, seeds, leaves, flowers, bark, roots and even small lizards and birds.

Monkeys are highly social creatures that live in groups, called troops. Troops can range from a few individuals to thousands, and they travel together day and night in search of food. Males usually leave the troop when they reach maturity and join new ones. Females stay with the troop in which they were born and closely bond with other females. Monkeys also communicate with their troop members by grooming each other, and they sometimes use this ritual as a way to make peace.

Most monkeys are arboreal, spending most of their lives in trees. Their long tails help them balance and hold onto branches for extended periods of time. They are very agile and can move quickly from tree to tree. Some monkeys can even fling themselves from one branch to another without losing their grip.

Monkeys need a high-protein diet with plenty of complex carbohydrates. Organic, homemade oatmeal is an excellent choice for a healthy monkey breakfast. Avoid the typical toppings of brown sugar, honey and dried fruit, which will add a lot of unnecessary calories. Rice and noodle dishes with lots of vegetables and tofu or chicken are good options for a monkey meal, too. Avoid dishes that are heavy in olive oil, including pizza topped with pesto sauce. This can add a large amount of fat to the monkey’s meal.