Can Monkeys Hold Grudges? – True Stories of Revenge-Seeking Primates

Can Monkeys Hold Grudges? – True Stories of Revenge-Seeking Primates

You might think monkeys are all bananas, belly scratches, and tree-swinging hijinks—but don’t be fooled by the cute faces and twitchy tails. Behind those wide eyes lies a razor-sharp memory and, in some cases, a grudge-holding heart. That’s right—monkeys don’t just remember who wronged them. Sometimes, they plot.

Science backs it up. Monkeys, especially the more intelligent species like macaques, chimpanzees, and baboons, have been shown to remember individuals who’ve done them dirty—whether it’s another monkey or a human. And they’re not above a little revenge.

One well-documented case involved a rhesus macaque in India who was regularly shooed away by a street vendor selling fruit. One day, that same monkey waited for the vendor to turn his back—and came back with three other monkeys. The squad tore through the cart like a furry tornado, flinging bananas and apples everywhere. Coincidence? Doubtful. That’s retaliation with style.

In another case from a primate research center, a chimp named Santino became notorious for stockpiling rocks and waiting until zoo visitors got too close. He’d sit calmly, looking uninterested, then—bam!—throw a stone with sniper-level aim. He didn’t just do it once. He planned it, storing his arsenal ahead of time like a grudge-fueled squirrel.

And don’t think you can just bribe your way back into a monkey’s good graces. These animals are known for holding onto social memories. In some monkey troops, individuals who cheat or steal during food-sharing games are snubbed for weeks, not allowed to groom or be groomed. That’s the monkey equivalent of being unfollowed, blocked, and ghosted all at once.

Even in the wild, monkeys remember. Researchers observed a capuchin who was pushed out of a feeding spot by a higher-ranking monkey. The next day, the lower-ranking monkey waited until the dominant one was asleep… and pooped on his head from a branch above. You can’t make this stuff up.

So yes—monkeys absolutely can and do hold grudges. They’re emotional, intelligent, socially complex animals who understand fairness, betrayal, and the sweet, sweet taste of revenge. They might not slash your tires, but they’ll definitely steal your lunch, throw something at you, or rally the squad for a coordinated takedown.

Moral of the story? Be kind to monkeys. Because if you wrong one, you might just find yourself on the business end of a poop-based vendetta. And they will remember.

 

 

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