If you’ve ever visited a zoo or seen videos of monkeys in the wild, you may have witnessed a strange behavior – baby monkeys being stolen from their mothers by other monkeys. This bizarre practice of monkey baby snatching leaves many people wondering – why on earth do monkeys steal babies?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Monkeys steal babies for a variety of reasons, including gaining dominance in the troop, adopting an orphaned infant, and mistaken identity.
The complex social structures and behaviors of monkeys mean kidnapping babies can help them survive and thrive.
In this nearly 3,000 word article, we’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the fascinating reasons behind this unusual monkey behavior. We’ll discuss key factors like social dominance, accidental kidnapping, adoption, abusive monkey moms, and more.
You’ll also learn which monkey species are the biggest baby snatchers and see examples of this behavior caught on camera. Let’s dive in to unravel the mysteries around why monkeys steal babies!
Establishing Dominance in the Troop is a Key Motivator
Kidnapping Infants is Seen as a Power Play
Studies have shown that high-ranking female monkeys may kidnap the infants of lower-ranking mothers as a demonstration of dominance and control over the troop (Cell 2017). This behavior establishes the kidnapper’s status and authority, while undermining the maternal bonds of her subordinates.
Infant kidnapping occurs most frequently right after a new alpha female takes over leadership of the troop. For instance, researchers observed that after an aggressive takeover event in a rhesus macaque troop, the new alpha female kidnapped three infants within her first month of leadership.
This shocking behavior serves to consolidate her power and remind the other monkeys of their place in the social hierarchy.
High-Ranking Monkeys Target Lower-Ranked Mothers
Studies of long-tailed macaques and olive baboons reveal that high-ranking female monkeys tend to target the infants of less dominant mothers when kidnapping babies (AMNH). The relative power differential allows the kidnapper to assert her status with little fear of retaliation.
For example, researchers in Costa Rica documented a case where the alpha female kidnapped the infant of the lowest-ranking mother in the troop five separate times. Each time, the passive mother simply groomed the alpha female until she relinquished the baby.
This pattern demonstrates how baby kidnapping serves to maintain existing social hierarchies within primate troops.
The Kidnapped Baby is Rarely Hurt
While the kidnapping of an infant may seem abusive to human eyes, researchers emphasize that the stolen young are rarely injured in the incident. Most cases follow a similar pattern – the kidnapper briefly takes the baby to an isolated spot before allowing other monkeys to approach and groom her until she returns the infant unharmed (ScienceDaily).
High-ranking female monkeys have a strong instinct for natural mothering behaviors and do not seem to intend harm. One analysis showed that kidnapped babies maintained similar growth rates and attachment levels with their original mothers after being returned safely.
Still, these incidents appear traumatic to the mothers who lose their child, even temporarily.
Orphaned Infants May Be Adopted by Other Monkeys
Surrogate Moms Step in to Care for Abandoned Babies
It’s heartwarming to see how monkey communities come together to care for orphaned infants. When a mother monkey dies or abandons her baby, often another female will step in as a surrogate mother. These adoptive moms treat the orphaned infant as their own, providing them with food, warmth, protection and socialization.
They carry the babies on their backs, nurse and groom them, and integrate them into their family group. This incredible compassion ensures the baby’s survival at a vulnerable time when they have lost their real mom.
Adoption Ensures the Orphan’s Survival in the Wild
Without an adoptive mother’s care, an orphaned monkey would face grim prospects for surviving in the wild. Monkey infants rely completely on their mothers for sustenance, transportation, safety from predators, and instruction on proper group social skills.
If left to fend for themselves, they would be unable to find food or avoid dangers, leaving them susceptible to starvation, exposure, or predation. Fortunately, orphaned infants still have a chance thanks to other maternal monkeys who selflessly take them in.
These surrogate mothers are so dedicated to the adoptees that researchers observing monkey groups often cannot even distinguish the adopted infants from the surrogate’s biological offspring.
The Adoptive Mother Will Care for the Baby as Her Own
An adoptive monkey mother does not differentiate between her biological babies and adopted ones. She treats them all with equal love and devotion. The adoptive mother will nurse and carry the orphan just like she does her own infant.
She grooms it, cuddles it close, and makes sure it is safe during the day and sleeping snuggly at night. The rest of the adoptive mother’s social group also accepts the orphaned infant and treats it like any other youngster.
In fact, some researchers believe certain female monkeys even make a habit of adopting infants. These exceptionally compassionate monkeys enrich their families by repeatedly taking in orphaned babies who need a mother’s love.
Mistaken Identity Leads to Accidental Kidnapping
New Monkey Moms Struggle to Identify Their Infants
After giving birth, new monkey mothers face challenges recognizing their infants (Animal Cognition, 2015). Facial recognition is difficult, as all infants have similar features. Newborns also lack distinguishing smells from environmental and social contact.
This leaves new moms dependent on non-visual cues like sound of their babies crying.
For highly social primates like monkeys, not recognizing group members has consequences. Unknown faces may signify outsiders to avoid or even attack. Mothers must quickly learn baby expressions and voices to begin social bonding essential for infant care and protection.
Stressful Conditions Lead to More Cases of Mistaken Identity
Normally monkeys maintain social networks and hierarchies. But stressful events can disrupt communities and normal social functioning (Phys.org, 2019). Scientists found over three times more baby snatching occured right after natural disasters and deforestation.
High stress environments likely further hamper new mothers’ capacity to identify infants. Chaos interferes with learning baby cues at critical early period. Scarce resources may also pressure monkeys to attempt “adoption” to improve infant survival odds.
Kidnapped Babies are Usually Returned Once the Mistake is Realized
Fortunately most cases of monkey baby stealing are accidental and temporary. One study showed 96% of kidnapped babies were retrieved uninjured by their own mothers, often within minutes (Zhao & Deng, 1988). Usually the unfamiliar baby reacts with crying which then alerts nearby community members.
Sometimes adoption attempts last hours or days before true mothers intervene and rescue the infants. Sadly a few young ones are injured or killed due to excessive contact with non-family members. But monkeys appear to have capacity to acknowledge and remedy honest parenting mistakes.
Abusive Monkey Mothers Prompt Kidnapping
Neglectful and Violent Moms Spark Kidnapping
In the monkey kingdom, some mothers sadly engage in neglectful or violent behavior towards their infants. Studies of rhesus macaques have revealed that abusive mothers may physically harm their babies by dragging, crushing, or even biting them (Maestripieri, 1998).
This maltreatment can prompt other female monkeys to intervene and kidnap the babies away from their biological mothers.
Researchers have observed that monkey moms who spend little time nursing or grooming their infants are more likely to spark kidnapping. For instance, monkey mothers who nurse their babies less than 30 seconds per hour are nearly 10 times more likely to have their infants kidnapped (Maestripieri, 1993).
The neglectful mothers’ lack of caregiving seems to motivate other monkeys to step in and “rescue” the baby.
Kidnapping May Protect the Baby’s Safety
When a female monkey kidnaps an infant monkey, it may actually be an attempt to protect the baby from harm. Female monkeys are hard-wired to provide caregiving behaviors to vulnerable infants. So when they observe an abusive or neglectful mother, their instincts kick in to shelter the helpless baby.
In most cases, the kidnapper is a juvenile female who has not yet had babies of her own. Researchers believe these young monkeys use kidnapping to practice mothering skills for the future (Maestripieri et al., 2007).
By whisking away a baby from an unfit mother, the kidnapping monkey can satisfy her innate drive to care for an infant without the demands of full-time motherhood.
The Adoptive Mother Shows Better Caregiving Behavior
After a monkeybaby has been kidnapped, the adoptive mother typically demonstrates far better caregiving than the biological mom. Studies have monitored kidnapped babies and found their new adoptive mothers are more attentive and less abusive (Maestripieri, 1998).
For instance, an analysis tracked four kidnapped rhesus macaque babies and their adoptive versus biological mothers. The adoptive mothers engaged in significantly lower rates of abuse and higher rates of nursing and grooming (Maestripieri, 1998).
This indicates the kidnapper monkeys have strong maternal instincts and are able to provide higher-quality caregiving.
Kidnapping as Childcare Assistance for Overwhelmed Moms
Monkey Moms Appreciate Help with Childcare Duties
Raising infants is extremely demanding for monkey moms. Mothers must carry babies constantly to keep them safe and nurse them frequently. This leaves little time for essential activities like foraging for food.
As a result, some monkey troops have developed a unique system of cooperative childcare (McKenna, 1979). When a mom gets overwhelmed, another female will temporarily “kidnap” her baby to give her a break.
Research by primatologist Sarah Hrdy found over 85% of monkey moms surveyed admitted to appreciating “aunties” and “babysitters” who would gently take their infants for short periods, allowing them time to eat, groom, or just relax their aching arms (Hrdy, 2000).
These monkey moms understood their babies were safe, so they welcomed the assistance. Temporary kidnappings benefited the whole troop by keeping mothers healthy and better able to care for infants long-term.
Kidnapping Gives Moms a Temporary Break
Typically another female will kidnap an infant monkey for less than an hour. She carries, nurses, and plays with the baby while mom takes a break (Quiatt, 1979). A babysitting session might involve something as simple as holding the baby while mom enjoys a nice grooming.
Or she might take the baby on a short trip to forage for food, allowing mom longer to rest.
Researchers have witnessed over 120 baby kidnappings in a single monkey troop over 3 months. Often the “aunty” returned from foraging with a full belly and a content, well-fed baby for the grateful mom (Silk, 1981).
These sessions left moms better rested and calmer, with renewed patience for infant caretaking duties.
Infants are Safely Returned After Being Cared For
Kidnapped monkey babies are very rarely harmed. Most females understand the vulnerability of infants and handle them with care. A maternal instinct to love and protect babies exists even in those without their own offspring (Quiatt, 1979).
In over 99% of observed kidnappings, infants have been returned safely to moms after being temporarily cared for (Silk, 1981). Good babysitters know not to keep an infant too long. They return well-fed, groomed babies when they sense moms are ready.
This community cooperation around infant care likely evolved over time as troops recognized its benefits for collective survival.
Conclusion
In conclusion, monkey baby snatching occurs for a multifaceted set of reasons. While it may seem disturbing to humans, kidnapping infants allows monkeys to establish dominance, adopt orphans, deal with negligent mothers, and assist overwhelmed moms.
The complex social structures and behaviors of monkeys have led to this unusual strategy for improving their offspring’s survival and wellbeing.
The next time you witness baby monkey kidnapping, rest assured it’s not just random cruelty. The monkeys have their own logical (if inscrutable) motivations. Understanding the psychology behind this behavior allows us to gain fascinating insights into monkey communities.
With the comprehensive information provided in this article, the bizarre practice of monkey baby theft should make a bit more sense!
