케임브리지 대학교 연구팀은 지브롤터에 서식하는 바바리마카크(Barbary macaque) 원숭이들이 관광객으로부터 얻은 고칼로리 정크푸드를 섭취한 후 발생하는 소화 불량을 완화하기 위해 의도적으로 흙을 먹는다는 사실을 발견했다. 연구진은 이를 인간 활동에 적응한 영장류의 독특한 문화적 행동이자 자가 치료의 일환으로 분석했다. 초콜릿, 과자 등 설탕과 소금이 다량 함유된 음식이 원숭이의 위장에 부담을 주자, 토양 속 성분을 이용해 이를 중화하려는 시도로 풀이된다.

개요

케임브리지 대학교 연구팀은 지브롤터에 서식하는 바바리마카크(Barbary macaque) 원숭이들이 관광객으로부터 얻은 고칼로리 정크푸드를 섭취한 후 발생하는 소화 불량을 완화하기 위해 의도적으로 흙을 먹는다는 사실을 발견했다.

연구진은 이를 인간 활동에 적응한 영장류의 독특한 문화적 행동이자 자가 치료의 일환으로 분석했다.

주요 전개

2026. 4. 22.
케임브리지 대학교, 지브롤터 마카크 원숭이의 토양 섭취 연구 결과 발표
2026. 4. 22.
정크푸드 부작용 억제를 위한 자가 치료 행동 확인
2026. 4. 23.
인간 활동에 의한 야생 동물의 인위적 행동 변화 주목
2026. 4. 23.
주요 외신을 통한 연구 결과의 대중적 확산

주요 보도

2026. 4. 22.
Cambridge study finds monkeys 'eat soil to cope with junk food'

Soil helps monkeys' stomachs settle after calorie-rich snacks from tourists, research suggests.

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