What Do Monkeys Hate: A Comprehensive Guide

Monkeys are highly intelligent and social animals that experience a range of emotions, including fear, anger, and aversion. If you’ve ever wondered what things monkeys strongly dislike, this comprehensive guide explores the main things that monkeys hate and why.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Monkeys hate loud noises, unfamiliar environments and objects, constraints on their movement, unpalatable foods, and threats from predators and humans.

In this roughly 3000 word guide, we will explore what environmental factors, foods, and human behaviors monkeys hate and why they elicit such strong aversions. We structured this article into six main sections covering the various categories of things monkeys hate, with subsections providing more details and examples in each hate category.

Loud and Sudden Noises

Monkeys are sensitive to loud and sudden noises which can startle and stress them out. Noises from heavy machinery, construction sites, storms, and other monkeys’ alarm calls are particularly aversive to monkeys.

Construction and Machinery Sounds

The loud diesel engines of bulldozers and excavators, pounding hammers and jackhammers, and rumbling cement mixer trucks produce jarring noises which monkeys find unpleasant. Studies show that noise pollution above 55 decibels can increase monkeys’ heart rates and stress hormone levels. Chronic exposure to these noises can compromise monkeys’ immune systems and reproductive health.

Thunder and Other Natural Noises

Claps of thunder, howling winds, and rustling trees during severe storms frighten monkeys who lack understanding of meteorological events. In fact, a 2021 study found over 90% of monkeys displayed fearful reactions to recordings of thunderstorms.

Monkeys also express distress in response to abrupt, loud calls from predatory birds or other wildlife. These noises likely trigger monkeys’ innate fight-or-flight survival instincts.

Alarm Calls from Other Monkeys

Monkeys have specific vocalizations called alarm calls which warn others about potential threats like snakes, leopards, and eagles. Though useful, frequently hearing alarm calls stresses monkeys and puts them on high alert according to research.

Alarm calls also spark panic and chaos as monkeys scramble up trees or take cover. Moreover, false alarms frustrate some monkeys who may attack the individual that wrongly cried wolf. About 30% of alarm calls are misleading which erodes monkeys’ trust, per a 2020 animal behavior study.

Unfamiliar and Constraining Environments

Cages and Enclosed Areas

Monkeys highly dislike being confined in cages or other enclosed spaces for extended periods of time. This deprives them of the ability to freely move and climb, which are integral parts of a monkey’s natural behavior (Smith et al., 2015).

Studies show that monkeys confined to small cages for research or captivity purposes exhibit more signs of stress, anxiety, and abnormal behavior compared to those in larger enclosures or natural habitats (Lutz et al., 2003).

Unfamiliar Forests or Territories

Monkeys tend to avoid unfamiliar forests or territories outside of their established home ranges. Venturing into the domains of rival monkey troops can result in aggressive encounters and physical violence (Bernstein, 1976).

Unfamiliar forests also carry unknown risks like dangerous predators, lack of suitable food sources, and absence of safe sleeping sites.

Areas With Sparse Trees or Cover

Monkeys rely on trees and dense vegetation to evade predators, forage, eat, sleep, and engage in social activities. Open areas with sparse trees or cover leave monkeys feeling exposed and vulnerable. A 2021 study found that a troop of patas monkeys in Kenya avoided grassland/shrubland habitats with less than 10% tree cover due to heightened threats from carnivores like lions and leopards.

However, some monkey species like baboons and macaques occasionally must traverse open country to reach scattered food sources. They typically move quickly in tight groups to reduce risks.

Constraints on Movement

Leashes

One of the most common ways to restrict a monkey’s movement is through the use of a leash or tether. Leashes connect to a collar or harness worn by the monkey and allow the handler to maintain control over the animal.

Though leashes grant monkeys more freedom than a cage, they still significantly limit mobility. According to primate experts, leashes should not be used for prolonged periods as they can cause psychological distress in monkeys who desire autonomy.^[1]

There are some disadvantages to leashes. Monkeys are incredibly strong animals and inclined to escape. They can potentially break tethers, scale objects, or find ways to remove harnesses. Leashes also restrict natural activities like climbing, jumping, and playing.

Additionally, other risks exist such as entanglement, choking, or injury.

Cages

Cages fully restrict a monkey’s ability to move freely. While they are sometimes used to contain monkeys as pets, cages are more commonly found in laboratories conducting animal testing. There is significant controversy around keeping monkeys confined to cages for extended periods.

It prevents species-specific behaviors and contributes to boredom, stress, and psychological disorders. The captive environment lacks proper stimulation. Cages often fail to meet minimal space requirements set by regulations like the Animal Welfare Act.^[2]

Though caging monkeys may seem an effective constraint, it poses serious animal welfare concerns. Responsible facilities will provide larger enclosures, social housing, and enrichment activities. Some experts argue cages are inappropriate altogether, as monkeys are highly intelligent, social beings requiring freedom of movement to thrive.

Traps

Traps are utilized to capture wild monkeys causing issues in residential or agricultural areas. Methods range from simple box traps to more complex barrel traps. Trapping is controversial, as it often leads to translocation or euthanization.

However, some see it as a “necessary evil” for managing monkeys attracted to human spaces. When performed correctly, trapping can be humane. Still, there are risks of injury during capture and transport.

Though effective at restricting movement, traps induce stress in monkeys. Captured animals are unable to flee or properly care for themselves. Traps also separate monkeys from their social groups. Prolonged confinement in traps can lead to health issues.

Experts recommend frequent checking of traps and promptly releasing or relocating monkeys to avoid undue suffering.

Unpalatable or Dangerous Foods

Spoiled Fruit

Monkeys have a strong sense of smell and taste that helps them detect spoiled or rotten fruits and vegetables. When fruit begins to ferment, the sugars break down and release unpleasant aromatic compounds.

Monkeys dislike the strong sour and bitter tastes associated with decay and will avoid eating spoiled items that could make them sick with food poisoning.

Research by primatologists has found that monkeys spend less time foraging in trees and areas where more than 50% of the fruit is overripe or defective. This allows troops to conserve energy and move on to more plentiful feeding grounds.

In one study of black-handed spider monkeys in Costa Rica, troops avoided fig trees with excessive fallen and decaying fruits under the canopies. The monkeys also tended to avoid eating overripe fruits with white or yellow patches of mold and soft spots.

Spicy Plants

Certain plants and vegetation develop chemical compounds designed to deter foragers – and this includes capsaicin that gives chilies and hot peppers their trademark spicy heat. Most monkey species find the burning sensation from these plants highly unpleasant and will go out of their way to avoid them.

However, some macaque populations in South Asia have developed a unique tolerance for capsaicin-rich foods.

Field researchers following rhesus macaque troops in the Karbi hills of India spotted some individuals raiding villagers’ dried red chilly crops and consuming up to 18 chilies per minute without apparent discomfort.

These spice-loving monkeys inspired a 2020 study that uncovered a gene variant allowing them to eat chilies without irritation due to changes in their trigeminal nerve receptors.

Toxic Plants

In all environments monkeys inhabit, there are bound to be potentially deadly toxic plants they know better than to ingest. These can include mushrooms, nightshade fruits, and plants like poison ivy.

Munching on just a few leaves, berries or flowers from something like water hemlock or death camas can severely sicken or kill a monkey. Researchers thus believe monkeys have an innate sense of which local vegetation to avoid, as well as learned generational knowledge about the dangers of unknown flora passed down in troops.

There is evidence that some monkey species will gently smell, lick or nibble a bit of an unfamiliar plant to test if it’s safe, stopping as soon as they detect bitterness or irritation. Others observe “teacher” monkeys sampling novel items first before trying themselves.

Sickened individuals also appear to remember which plants made them ill in order to identify those species as hazards in future.

A handful of catastrophic cases seem to result mainly from juveniles’ innate curiosity and lack of experience. Records from Singapore, for instance, detail long-tailed macaques fatally poisoning themselves by ingesting seeds of the pink trumpet tree.

Threats from Predators

Big Cats

Big cats like lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars are the most dangerous predators that monkeys face. These powerful hunters can kill and eat monkeys of all sizes. Monkeys are alert and wary when big cats are around. They will act disturbed and give alarm calls to warn others of the threat.

Monkeys try to avoid areas where big cats are active. If caught in the open, monkeys will run for the trees or mob together to intimidate the big cat.

According to a 2022 study, over 75% of documented monkey kills by predators in Africa and Asia were by big cats. Leopards in particular are adept at hunting monkeys in trees. Lions and tigers prefer targeting monkeys on the ground. Mother monkeys with babies are especially vulnerable.

Big cats can decimate a monkey troop if not warded off.

Snakes

Snakes are stealthy predators that monkeys need to watch out for. Venomous snakes like cobras, mambas, and vipers can strike and kill monkeys rapidly. Nonvenomous snakes like pythons and boas can ambush, constrict, and swallow monkey prey whole.

Monkeys fear snakes and will utter sharp alarm calls when spotting one nearby. They will harass and mob snakes to drive them away if possible. But snakes can still strike quickly and latch onto an arm or leg. Monkey mothers are extremely protective of babies around snakes and try to grab them away.

According to wildlife surveys, over 20 species of snakes have been known to prey on monkeys.

Birds of Prey

Birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls, can swoop down from the sky and snatch up unsuspecting monkey prey. Their powerful talons allow them to lift and carry monkeys away if given the chance. Smaller monkeys and babies are especially vulnerable.

Monkey troops sound warnings if they spot birds of prey circling overhead. They will gather in dense foliage for cover or mob around juveniles. Mother monkeys have been observed battling birds of prey to save their young. Though they cannot kill the birds, the commotion often startles them away.

According to experts, over 50 species of raptors worldwide prey on monkeys to some degree.

Threatening Behaviors from Humans

Direct Aggression

Unfortunately, some humans directly threaten or harm monkeys intentionally. Acts of aggression such as chasing, throwing objects, or attacking monkeys causes immense stress. In a 2021 survey across 15 monkey habitats, over 40% of caretakers reported witnessing visitors engaging in aggressive behaviors towards monkeys over the past year.

This is extremely dangerous for both humans and monkeys. As intelligent creatures, monkeys strongly dislike confrontational humans that invade their space or exhibit threatening motions like raised arms or loud noises.

To keep monkeys happy in their environments, we must educate visitors to be respectful and keep their distance.

Invasion of Territory

Monkeys are highly territorial animals that develop complex social relationships and group dynamics. When humans enter areas considered monkey territory like sleeping areas or feeding zones, it causes disruption to the delicate social structures.

Seeing humans in places monkeys believe “belong” to them generates feelings of irritation, anxiety, and vulnerability. A 2022 study training park rangers on proper perimeter patrol techniques showed a 63% drop in aggressive monkey reactions from the previous year.

Respecting the monkey’s habitat space is key. The worse the territorial invasion, the more monkeys will hate and act out against the encroaching humans.

Removal of Infants

The strongest emotional bonds in the monkey world connect mothers and their babies. When human interference splits those bonds through capture or isolation of infants, it inflicts severe psychological trauma on the mothers.

A university 10-year analysis of forced infant separation scenarios revealed drooping health scores, more violent group interactions, and symptoms of depression in mothers post-separation. The study emphasized avoiding this practice at all costs.

The hatred a mother monkey feels towards humans that take her baby cannot be adequately described. It challenges her most primal instincts to nurture and protect her young. Losing an infant can leave emotional scars for the rest of her life.

The message is clear – monkeys hate feeling threatened by humans! Whether through overt aggression, invading their space, or forced separation of families, many human behaviors induce intense dislike in monkeys.

By teaching proper etiquette, supporting conservation efforts, and respecting monkey’s innate need for security, we can better coexist with the amazing primates we share this planet with! 🐒🙏🌎

Conclusion

In summary, monkeys have strong aversions to loud disturbances, unfamiliar environments, constraints on movement, unpalatable foods, threats from predators, and aggressive human behaviors due to their potential to compromise safety and survival.

By understanding what monkeys strongly dislike and why, we can better provide appropriate environments and care for monkeys when they are under human management. Avoiding exposing monkeys to the things they hate reduces their stress levels and promotes better monkey welfare.