Monkeys are one of the most intelligent creatures on Earth. Their brain is almost 93 percent similar to that of humans. Monkeys have sophisticated feelings and they can think and act intelligently.
However, there is a dark side to these creatures. Monkeys are known to steal other monkeys’ babies. This behavior is called infanticide and it is quite common in the animal kingdom.
There are several reasons why monkeys steal other monkeys’ babies. This post will explore some of the most likely explanations and other interesting facts about monkeys.
Why Do Monkeys Steal Other Monkeys’ Babies?
One reason why monkeys steal other monkeys’ babies is to increase their own reproductive success. When a monkey steals a baby, it can either eat the infant or raise it as its own. Either way, the stealing monkey will have more offspring.
Another reason for this behavior is that it helps to thin out the population. By stealing and killing infants, monkeys are reducing competition for resources. This is especially true in times of food scarcity.
Finally, some experts believe that infanticide may be a form of social control. By killing infants, monkeys are able to assert their dominance over other members of the group.
Between high-ranking females, low-ranking mothers and their kids are commonly stolen. If a high-ranking female takes a baby from a low-ranking mother, the latter may never see her kid again. To avoid being taken, a young monkey may cling tenaciously to its mother to protect and sustain itself.
It is extremely unusual, however, for a monkey mother to try to retrieve her kidnapped kid in fear of dying. The rhesus macaques are the most prevalent breed to steal monkey babies; they’re an endangered species that can be found mostly in South Asia and China.
How Often Does Monkey Kidnapping Occur?
Monkey kidnapping is quite common. In fact, it has been observed in over 40 different monkey species.
One study found that infant stealing occurred in nearly 30% of all monkey groups that were observed. This suggests that infanticide is a fairly widespread behavior among monkeys.
Interestingly, baby stealing is more common among wild monkeys than captive monkeys. This could be because wild monkeys experience more competition for resources.
In captivity, monkeys are typically provided with enough food and other resources. As a result, they may not feel the need to steal and kill infants.
Why Do Some Mother Monkeys Hurt Their Babies?
While it may be hard to believe, some mother monkeys actually hurt their own babies. This behavior is called maternal infanticide and it occurs for many of the same reasons as regular infanticide.
Maternal infanticide can occur when a mother monkey is unable to care for her infant. This may be due to lack of food or other resources. In these cases, the mother may kill her infant to prevent it from suffering.
Maternal infanticide can also occur when a mother monkey is under stress. This may be due to competition from other females or aggression from males. In these cases, the mother may kill her infant to protect herself.
Why Do Baby Monkeys Scream?
One of the most distressing things about infanticide is the way that baby monkeys scream when they are being killed. This is a natural reaction to the pain and fear that they are experiencing.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent baby monkeys from screaming when they are being killed. The best that we can do is to try to understand why this behavior occurs and to hope that someday we can find a way to stop it.
Do Baby Monkeys Have Tantrums?
Yes, baby monkeys can have tantrums just like human babies. This is because they are experiencing the same emotions of frustration and anger.
Tantrums usually occur when a baby monkey is trying to get something that it wants but cannot have. For example, a baby monkey may throw a tantrum if its mother does not allow it to nurse.
Tantrums can also occur when a baby monkey is fearful or agitated. This may be due to the presence of a predator or the sudden loud noise.
Finally, tantrums may occur when a baby monkey is simply tired or hungry. In these cases, the tantrum is likely to stop as soon as the baby monkey gets what it needs.
While tantrums can be annoying, they are actually a normal part of monkey development. Tantrums usually peak around six months of age and then gradually decline. Most monkeys outgrow them by the time they reach adulthood.