Gibraltar’s monkeys eat mud to fix upset stomachs caused by junk food
Gibraltar's Barbary macaques have been observed practicing geophagy, intentionally eating mud to counteract the effects of junk food from tourists.
Scientists believe this behavior helps rebalance their gut microbiomes, offering a protective effect against the fatty, salty, and sugary snacks they consume.
- Gibraltar’s monkeys may be eating soil to cope with junk food from tourists South China Morning Post —
- Monkeys at a popular tourist site have been doing something unusual. This is what might be happening. CTV News —
- Gibraltar’s monkeys have found a clever way to avoid a junk food bellyache – eating soil The Globe and Mail —
- Monkeys eating soil to soothe stomachs after eating too much junk food The Independent —
- Monkeys eating soil to 'settle upset stomachs from junk food' Sky News —