What do Monkeys Eat?

Monkeys have surprisingly specific and varied diets that reflect their complex and unique anatomy. Most species of monkeys will enjoy a mix of fruits, nuts, eggs, insects, leaves, seeds, and roots as part of their diet. A monkey’s diet can also be determined by their environment — whether they live in a rainforest or atop a mountain.

Fruits & Vegetables

Fruit is the primary food for most species of monkeys and can include bananas, mangos, papayas, figs, coconuts, and dates. They’ll also eat leaves, stems, and shoots of various plants. Monkeys might also feed on insects such as ants, termites, and beetles. Some species, such as the gorillas, will supplement their diet with starchy roots and various plants.

Nuts & Seeds

Monkeys absolutely love nuts and seeds, which provide much needed protein. They’ll often search the ground for fallen nuts, dig for nuts buried underground, or climb trees in search of nuts that grow on branches. Common nuts that monkeys eat include almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, and walnuts. Monkeys enjoy either the nut itself or the meats that can be extracted from the nut.

Insects & Eggs

Monkeys will supplement their diets with insects and eggs. Insects like larvae, spiders, caterpillars, and ants are a great source of protein and other vital nutrients. Monkeys might even enjoy the occasional insect eggs such as those of dragonflies and butterflies. This part of their diet can depend on the species and their area, though some larger species might not eat insects at all.

Conclusion

All of these things combined make up the diet that has kept monkeys healthy and vibrant for centuries. Of course, it isn’t something to be replicated by humans due to our varying anatomy. But it goes to show that there is still much to be learned about the foods that inhabit our planet and the diets of each species.