Misconceptions and Facts About Monkeys

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Monkeys have long sparked special interest and genuine affection among people. These playful yet extremely intelligent animals exhibit a wide range of behavioral and intellectual traits, and each new discovery by scientists only confirms their extraordinary adaptability.

The primate order includes about 150 species of monkeys, alongside apes: from small guenons to impressive gorillas. Below, we will explore some of the most common misconceptions about the life and behavior of different monkey species, and expand factual information with interesting examples and scientific data.

 

Only in the Trees?

Many people believe that all monkeys spend their lives exclusively in trees. However, reality is much more complex.

Some species, such as gibbons, langurs, colobus monkeys, howler monkeys, and squirrel monkeys, indeed prefer an arboreal lifestyle and rarely descend to the ground. Their anatomy is adapted for moving among branches: long limbs and prehensile tails (in some species) help them navigate through vines and branches.

There are also species that spend only part of their time in trees. These include, in particular, macaques, chimpanzees, and even some lemurs (although lemurs are biologically considered prosimians).

Additionally, there are monkeys that primarily live on the ground: a striking example is the hamadryas baboons. Their lifestyle resembles that of typical terrestrial mammals, and in nature, they can be found in savannas and on rocky outcrops, not just in dense forest areas.

Life in trees or on the ground depends not only on species characteristics but also on the environment. Monkeys in dense jungles choose the treetops to more easily find food and avoid predators. Terrestrial species rely on sharp vision and group protection against threats, as they face many dangers in the savannas or mountainous regions.

 

Only Bananas?

It is a widespread belief that bananas are the main or even the only treat for all monkeys. In fact, the banana is the fruit of a giant herb (often mistakenly called a palm), and not all primates eat it. The diet of monkeys varies greatly depending on species, habitat, and even individual preferences.

Some species (such as chimpanzees, capuchins, and prosimians) are omnivorous: they eat not only fruits but also insects and can even catch small animals. This fact highlights their high adaptability and ability to diversify their diet when necessary.

There are also strictly herbivorous or nearly entirely plant-eating primates. Colobus monkeys and langurs primarily feed on leaves, thanks to special digestive adaptations that help process plant fibers. Other guenons prefer a mix of fruits, leaves, and insects in moderate proportions.

In zoos or reserves, personal preferences often emerge even among members of the same species. The naturalist Gerald Durrell wrote about this in his book “A Zoo in My Luggage,” where he described a group of five monkeys, each reacting differently to hard-boiled eggs, oranges, and other foods. Such cases highlight that monkeys' dietary habits can be shaped not only by evolution but also by individual experiences and even "food trends" within a group.

Long-tailed Macaque Eating Bananas

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Chimpanzee Chefs: Unexpected Behavior

It was long believed that only humans are capable of intentionally processing food to make it tastier or easier to digest. However, observations by scientists at the Madrid Zoo revealed an interesting habit of some chimpanzees: they rub apples, carrots, and citrus fruits against rocky surfaces in their enclosure, then lick the resulting puree. This can be considered a kind of "culinary" technique that improves the taste and texture of food.

Such behavior may indicate more complex thinking in chimpanzees than previously assumed. Interestingly, chimpanzees do not use tools in the full human sense, but the mere fact of their desire to alter the structure of food makes them unique among most animals.

 

Macaca Experimenters: Lessons in Ingenuity

Culinary skills and the ability to improve food are not unique to chimpanzees. Scientists observed how Japanese macaques accidentally dropped wheat grains into water, which cleaned them of dirt. After recognizing the positive result, the macaques began to systematically wash grains before eating, and other members of the troop quickly adopted this habit. They eventually started washing other foods, such as potatoes. This example shows how monkeys are capable of social learning and how observant they are in everyday life.

Japanese macaques often surprise people with their ingenuity. In reserves and feeding areas, some individuals literally "beg for alms": they stand on their hind legs and extend their front ones, expecting treats from visitors. This demonstrates their behavioral flexibility and ability to use gestures associated with human expressions of requests.

 

The High Intelligence of Chimpanzees: Experiments and Hierarchy

Today, chimpanzees (including common and pygmy species) are regarded as animals most closely related to humans in terms of development. Scientists like Dr. Adrian Kortlandt from the Amsterdam Zoo describe chimpanzees with the phrase: “They are not humans, but neither are they animals in the usual sense.” Their intelligence and complex social structure set chimpanzees apart from other mammals.

In chimpanzee colonies, there is a strict social hierarchy. An interesting phenomenon: if a new skill (for example, a method to retrieve food from a special feeder) is learned by a low-ranking individual, the others show no interest. But if the same skill is mastered by an alpha male or a high-ranking member, the entire group quickly adopts the innovation. This effect was described by Austrian zoologist and ethologist Konrad Lorenz, emphasizing the key role of authority in chimpanzee groups.

German-American psychologist Wolfgang Köhler, one of the founders of gestalt psychology, conducted a series of experiments with chimpanzees, studying their problem-solving abilities. In one case, a young male faced the classic challenge of reaching a bunch of bananas hanging from the ceiling. It was expected that the monkey would pull a box and stand on it, but the chimpanzee chose a different approach: he led the experimenter to the spot where the bananas hung and used the scientist as a "ladder." This vividly demonstrates their ability for inventive problem-solving and flexible use of available resources.

 

Why Do Baboons Have Calluses?

Zoo visitors are sometimes surprised to see large, brightly colored calluses just below the backs of baboons and other terrestrial monkey species. These “ischial callosities” are simply adaptations for comfortably sitting on hard and sharp surfaces like rocks or branches. In their natural habitat, baboons often spend time on rocky ledges, so this kind of “natural cushion” helps prevent injury.

Hamadryas Baboon Sitting on a Rock

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Pygmy Chimpanzees (Bonobos): New Perspectives

For a long time, pygmy chimpanzees (bonobos) were mistaken for ordinary young chimpanzees, thought to somehow never "mature" into adults. In reality, they are a distinct species (Pan paniscus), though they closely resemble common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in appearance. The body mass of bonobos is comparable to that of their “larger” relatives: males weigh about 40 kg, and females 30 kg.

Studies have shown that the genetic makeup of bonobos matches that of humans by approximately 98%. Some scientists believe that in certain behavioral traits and body proportions, these monkeys may be even closer to humans than common chimpanzees. Their body structure in some aspects resembles Australopithecines, and their habit of walking on their hind legs reinforces this similarity.

 

Monkeys and Mirrors: The Capacity for Self-Recognition

There is a myth that animals cannot recognize themselves in mirrors. However, research shows that some monkeys (primarily apes) demonstrate the ability for self-recognition. Professor Leonid Firsov from St. Petersburg conducted observations on the lake islands of the Pskov region, where chimpanzees, encountering mirrors for the first time, displayed curiosity and tried to decipher their nature, looking “behind” the reflective surface.

At the Basel Zoo, a chimpanzee named Ksyndra was “marked” with white paint on her forehead during feeding. Upon noticing the spot in the mirror, the monkey tried to wipe it off and then carefully examined her appearance, including her teeth and nostrils. This is a classic test of self-awareness: the animal realizes that the spot is on its own body.

Gorillas, according to several experiments, generally do not recognize themselves in mirrors, whereas chimpanzees and orangutans demonstrate this ability much more often.

Interestingly, aside from higher primates, the ability to recognize their reflection has also been recorded in bottlenose dolphins, orcas, elephants, magpies, crows, and even manta rays—the first fish to successfully pass the mirror test. Insects also surprise: ants turned out to be the only insects with this skill. While pigs do not pass the test in the traditional sense, they can use mirrors to find food. Most other animals, when seeing their “own reflection,” display mainly aggressive reactions similar to those toward intruders.

Monkey Looking in a Mirror

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Monkeys are an astonishingly diverse group of primates with a rich spectrum of behavioral strategies, dietary habits, and forms of social interaction. Numerous experiments and observations by scientists worldwide confirm that many monkey species possess the beginnings of culture, can learn from each other, and demonstrate high levels of ingenuity. Observing these animals helps us better understand the origins of our own behavior and evolution. As Dr. Kortlandt aptly put it, chimpanzees and bonobos are no longer just “animals,” but not yet “humans”; they occupy a unique place on the “evolutionary map” next to us.

At the same time, it is important to remember that our knowledge of primates continues to expand, and many aspects of their lives remain unexplored. Modern research methods—genetic, neurobiological, and behavioral—allow us to delve deeper into the mysteries of monkey intelligence. In doing so, we discover not only their world but also gain a better understanding of our own place in the shared evolutionary history.