TYLER, Texas — Everyone knows that monkeys love bananas— but did you know they love apples and cabbage too? Just like humans, monkeys need a wide variety of foods to stay happy and healthy.
The seven squirrel monkeys at the Caldwell Zoo receive a mix of fruit and vegetables twice per day. The keepers often hide their meals in puzzle boxes to mimic the foraging behavior of their wild counterparts.
"The food is kind of tucked in through the holes, and they'll have to reach in the holes and manipulate the food to try to get it out." said Michelle Shockley, supervisor of mammals. "And then we have these awesome banana leaves."
In addition to puzzle feeders, the monkeys also collect massive leaves from banana trees.
"They will absolutely love to take these [leaves] and to rip and shred," Shockley added. "This gives them a form of enrichment where they can naturally play and tear something up."
Monkeys are mischievous creatures. Of course, any small bugs that wander onto monkey island are quickly snatched up and added to the monkeys' diets.
For more behind-the-scenes zoo content, watch CBS19 on Fridays during Morning Y'all for the weekly segment, Exploring the Caldwell Zoo.