Feeding behavior in monkeys and humans have ancient, shared roots
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 13:28
in Biology & Nature
Behavioural ecologists working in Bolivia have found that wild spider monkeys control their diets in a similar way to humans, contrary to what has been thought up to now. Rather than trying to maximize their daily energy intake, the monkeys tightly regulate their daily protein intake, so that it stays at the same level regardless of seasonal variation in the availability of different foods.