Gibraltar’s monkeys eat mud ‘to avoid upset stomachs from tourist junk food’
Macaques have learned to eat soil to avert gut irritation caused by salty and sugary snacks, researchers believe
Troops of monkeys living on the Rock of Gibraltar have learned to eat soil in what scientists believe is an effort to settle their stomachs after all the junk food they receive – and sometimes steal – from crowds of tourists.
Researchers spotted the intentional mud eating, known as geophagy, while observing groups of Barbary macaques in the territory.
Monkeys that had the most contact with tourists ate the most soil and consumption peaked in the holiday season, they found.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/22/gibraltar-monkeys-eat-mud-avoid-upset-stomachs-tourists-junk-food">Continue reading...- 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 —