In real life, daily monkeys live complex social lives that can look confusing or even upsetting to humans watching them. In a typical troop, every day is shaped by food, hierarchy, learning, and survival, and mothers play a strict role in raising their young.
When a mum like Rose appears to be trying to hit or discipline her baby, it is usually not cruelty but communication. Young monkeys are curious and reckless, often wandering too far, grabbing the wrong food, or annoying higher-ranking adults.
A sharp slap, shove, or bite is a way for the mother to teach boundaries and keep the baby safe in a dangerous social world. The little boy crying and looking upset is a natural response, much like a human child crying after being scolded.
The mother’s behavior may look harsh, but it often prevents much worse harm from other monkeys or predators. After these moments, mothers frequently comfort, groom, or carry their babies again, showing that the bond remains strong.
Daily monkey life is a balance of affection and discipline, and what seems sad or aggressive to us is often part of how young monkeys learn to survive and fit into their group.
