Climate Catastrophe Forces Island Monkeys to Quickly Master New Social Skills [Video]

Following Hurricane Maria, rhesus macaques in Puerto Rico adapted their social behavior for survival.

The reduction in shade led to increased tolerance among macaques, significantly lowering mortality rates for those who shared space. This adaptation highlights their flexibility in facing environmental challenges.

Impact of Hurricane Maria on Monkey Social Dynamics

A devastating hurricane transformed a monkey society by changing the pros and cons of interacting with others, new research shows.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, killing more than 3,000 people. It also destroyed 63% of the vegetation on Cayo Santiago (also known as Monkey Island), which is home to a population of rhesus macaques.

Even now, tree cover remains far below pre-hurricane levels and – in this hot part of the world – that makes shade a scarce and precious resource for the macaques.

Evolutionary Shifts in Macaque Behavior

The new study, led by the universities of Pennsylvania and Exeter and published in the journal Science, shows the storm damage altered …