The bulk of the nutrition of monkeys is plant food: leaves, fruits, roots, tubers, seeds. The animal component is also present in the diet of most species of monkeys: these are small insects (ants, termites, bird eggs and chicks, worms, lizards, etc.) And chimpanzees, for example, sometimes will not refuse to eat small mammals (small species of monkeys, Small antelopes).
The Sumatran orangutan and gorilla, in contrast to other species, feed exclusively on plant foods. In their diet, the animal component is not included.
The digestive system of primates, which feed exclusively on plant foods, is more developed, which helps them to process cellulose that is part of the leaves.
What to say? The classical stereotype: the monkey eats bananas can be considered to some extent destroyed. Many species of monkeys do not eat bananas at all. True, in conditions of captivity, primates can change their preferences.
