Geophagy, or eating soil, is observed in a variety of folivorous (leaf-eating) primates, including diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema) in the Maromizaha Protected area. This behavior may help to protect against harmful chemicals found in the leaves that they consume.

[Photo and caption by Meredith Lutz]

Semel, B. P., Baden, A. L., Salisbury, R. L., McGee, E. M., Wright, P. C., & Arrigo‐Nelson, S. J. (2019). Assessing the function of geophagy in a Malagasy rain forest lemur. Biotropica, 51(5), 769-780.