Why do monkeys always steal stuff?

[enyawd72]

I've seen hundreds of Animal Planet and AFV clips of tourists, etc. being robbed by monkeys. What the heck is up with this behavior? They are nothing but opportunistic little thieves.

They will steal ANYTHING from food, clothing, cameras, phones, glasses, even strip cars! They wait until the second a person isn't looking, then snatch, grab and run. I've never really seen any other animals behave like this. I couldn't find anything online as to WHY they do it.

I know raccoons and squirrels will raid garbage cans and bird feeders, but NOTHING in the animal kingdom even comes close to monkeys. Half the time the stuff they take isn't even food. They are nature's kleptomaniacs.

[Gorn Captain]

When I was three, a monkey at the zoo snatched my favorite cap from my head.
I never recovered from that...

[huedell]

Because nature is inherently self-centered and monkeys are cleverer thanthe average raccoon or squirrel.

[enyawd72]

Because nature is inherently self-centered and monkeys are cleverer thanthe average raccoon or squirrel.

They can't be that clever or they wouldn't constantly steal things that are useless to them. I can understand an animal taking food, but what does it need your camera for? Or hubcaps? One video showed a gang of these little suckers violently ripping the hubcaps and chrome trim off a car. That one killed me!

[Mikey]

The animal that's closest to humans are thieves ?

Hmmm, wonder if that says something about us ?

[enyawd72]

^We're closer to chimps and gorillas. Gorillas are especially awesome and actually pretty gentle and laid back.

[Hedji]

Sometimes to their own demise, as in Raiders of the Lost Ark, when the monkey steals the poisoned date.

[Gorn Captain]

They can't be that clever or they wouldn't constantly steal things that are useless to them. I can understand an animal taking food, but what does it need your camera for? Or hubcaps? One video showed a gang of these little suckers violently ripping the hubcaps and chrome trim off a car. That one killed me!

People are stealing and buying stuff they don't need either...
Do we really need an upgrade to our phone?
Do we really need another version of SW on BluRay?

Now some shiny hubcaps, on the other hand, I can see some clever monkeys using these as a nice little waterproof roof over their heads...

[Marvelmania]

I'd trust a monkey over a person any day of the week!

[enyawd72]

I'd trust a monkey over a person any day of the week!

You will eventually end up penniless, naked, and starving surrounded by a gang of monkeys.
After a time you will become so filthy, stinky, and hair covered the monkeys will come to accept you as one of their own.
Then, and only then will they share with you the spoils of their victory.

[TrekStar]

Maybe Tarzan needs to gather them all up and give them a good tounge lashing.

[Marvelmania]

You will eventually end up penniless, naked, and starving surrounded by a gang of monkeys.
After a time you will become so filthy, stinky, and hair covered the monkeys will come to accept you as one of their own.
Then, and only then will they share with you the spoils of their victory.

Many people are the same if not worse. I speak from experience.

[Gorn Captain]

Then, and only then will they share with you the spoils of their victory.

An endless supply of hubcaps and windshield wipers! Yay!!!!

[huedell]

Many people are the same if not worse. I speak from experience.

Find better people to hang with. They're out there. Some of them even speak your language, and can show you more love than a monkey ever could.

[huedell]

The animal that's closest to humans are thieves ?

Hmmm, wonder if that says something about us ?

And vice-versa.