Monkeys Eating Soil... Tourist 'Junk Food' Is to Blame

Increased Tourist Food Intake Linked to More Frequent 'Geophagy'

Monkeys Eat Soil to Restore Gut Health... "Junk Food Disrupts Microbiome Balance"

Monkeys living on the Rock of Gibraltar in southern Spain have been observed eating soil after consuming food provided by tourists. Researchers have analyzed this behavior not as a simple habit, but as an action intended to alleviate digestive problems.

On April 22 (local time), The Guardian and other British media outlets reported on the research findings released by a team from the University of Cambridge in the international journal Scientific Reports, regarding the 'geophagy' behavior of Barbary macaques. Geophagy refers to the intentional consumption of soil or clay by animals or humans.

According to the study, approximately 230 Barbary macaques inhabit Gibraltar, and the more frequent their contact with tourists, the more often they tended to consume soil.

A monkey eating snacks. The photo is not directly related to the content of the article. Pixabay

This behavior was particularly pronounced during holiday seasons when tourist numbers surged. Observations from the summer of 2022 to the spring of 2024 revealed that about 20% of the monkeys' food intake consisted of processed foods provided by tourists, such as potato chips, chocolate, and ice cream. Individuals living in areas with a high concentration of tourists had a higher proportion of processed foods in their diets and consumed soil more than twice as often as those in other groups.

The researchers concluded that this behavior was not intended for nutritional supplementation, as soil consumption did not significantly increase among pregnant or nursing monkeys. Instead, they analyzed that high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods with low fiber content disrupt the balance of gut microbiota and cause digestive disorders, prompting the monkeys to eat soil to alleviate these issues.

Dr. Sylvain Lemoine, who led the study, explained, "Junk foods high in fat, salt, and sugar disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, and we believe that the bacteria and minerals in soil help restore that balance, thereby mitigating negative effects."

In fact, the monkeys primarily preferred the red clay known as 'terra rossa,' and some were even observed eating soil from cracks in the road. The researchers noted that soil near roads may be exposed to exhaust fumes and pollutants, which could actually be harmful to the monkeys' health.

Experts emphasize the need for management, as tourists feeding wildlife can influence animal behavior and health. Dr. Paula Pepworth, a primatologist at the University of Texas at San Antonio, stated, "The best solution is to manage visitors so that they do not give human food to the monkeys."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.