In this intense footage, a capuchin monkey seemingly saves a mouse from a snake that has already begun to swallow its prey's body whole. You may think that this monkey has saved the day and deserves a hero's glorious homecoming, but you might want to take another look. Though the video does not show what happens to the mouse after the monkey appears to save (or steal?) it from the snake, I can't be the only one wondering if perhaps this monkey wasn't thinking of the poor mouse, but of his own hungry stomach.
Afterall, capuchin monkeys, which inhabit rainforests all throughout South America, are omnivores. That means in addition to the fruits, nuts, seeds, and buds that they like to munch on, they've also been known to snack on insects, spiders, bird eggs and even small vertebrates (such as mice, I wonder?). Or, perhaps the male monkey was trying to impress one of the females in his group for mating privileges. Want to learn more about capuchins? Visit MonkeyWorlds!
