MACAQUE monkeys at Longleat were given an early festive treat this year, as they were presented with their very own Christmas tree complete with a selection of tasty foods – including peppers, apples and carrots.

Extremely intelligent and naturally inquisitive animals, Macaque monkeys can learn to manipulate simple tools and distinguish colours and shapes.

Found throughout south east Asia and across the Indian subcontinent they are highly sociable and live in family troops of 20 or more led by a dominant male.

Food is gathered as a group – one monkey acting as "look-out" for danger, while the others fill their cheek pouches with as much food as they can.

Longleat’s Ian Turner said: “We decided to give the monkeys an early Christmas treat and covered the tree with their favourite fruits and vegetables.

“We even had a big red pepper instead of star at the top of the tree.

“Almost as soon as we finished decorating it the first of the monkeys started arriving and it wasn’t long before they began jumping on to the tree and picking off the decorations.

“It actually proved to be extremely popular and, even after the treats had gone, they continued playing on it and even began nibbling on the pine needles – which they also seemed to develop a taste for.”