You're running through the Ancient's Landing, minding your own business, when a blur of fur zips past your ankles. That’s the Dreamlight Valley monkey business experience in a nutshell. It’s frustrating. Honestly, it’s enough to make you want to throw your royal hourglass into the sea. These monkeys are arguably the most annoying critters added in the A Rift in Time expansion because they don’t just sit there looking cute like the squirrels in the Plaza. They want to play tag. And they are much faster than you.
If you’ve been struggling to feed these guys, you aren't alone. Most players spend their first twenty minutes in Eternity Isle sprinting frantically behind a Capuchin, wondering why the "Approach" button never appears. It’s because the game doesn't really explain the mechanic. It’s a game of red light, green light, but with a tropical coat of paint and a much higher movement speed.
Why the Monkeys Are Different From Other Critters
In the base game, you’ve got your basics. Squirrels are easy. Rabbits and Cobras make you chase them a few times. Crocodiles and Raccoons require that intense "statue" game where you only move when their heads are down. Monkeys? They’re a hybrid. They require a specific chase sequence that feels like a loop until it suddenly... isn't.
The trick with Dreamlight Valley monkey business is realizing that you aren't actually trying to catch them. You’re trying to exhaust them. You have to follow them through four distinct bursts of movement. They’ll run, stop, look at you, and then bolt the second you get close. After the fourth time you catch up to them, they’ll finally give up the ghost and let you interact.
But here is the kicker: if you take too long or get distracted by a shiny gathering node, the counter resets. You have to be committed.
What Do These Monkeys Actually Eat?
Don’t waste your high-value meals on them. Seriously. While monkeys in real life might eat a variety of things, the Dreamlight Valley versions are surprisingly picky about their "best" food. If you want those internal reward drops—like the memories or the motifs—you need to be feeding them 5-star meals.
Wait. Not just any 5-star meal.
While they will accept 3-star and 4-star dishes, their absolute favorite is Banana Split. It’s a bit of a grind to make if you aren't stocked up on Slush Ice and Milk from Remy’s, but it's the gold standard for winning them over. If you're short on ingredients, any 5-star cooked recipe generally works to get a "liked" reaction, but the Banana Split is what triggers the best drop rates. Don't bother giving them raw fruit. They'll just look at you with disappointment, and you'll have wasted a daily feeding.
The Five Variations and Where to Find Them
You can't just find any monkey anywhere. They are strictly region-locked within Ancient’s Landing. Here is the breakdown of who lives where:
- The Classic Capuchin is your basic starter monkey. You’ll find them hanging out around the main docks. They have that traditional tan and brown look.
- Grey Capuchins are tucked away in The Overlook. This is that elevated grassy area you have to unlock with Mist.
- Black and White Capuchins are found in The Pier.
- Beige Capuchins like to hang out in The Ruins.
- The Red and White Capuchin is the elusive one. They only show up in The Overlook on specific days (usually Wednesdays, though the schedule can shift slightly with game updates).
Step-by-Step: The Chase Strategy
Let’s get tactical. When you see a monkey, don't just run at it full tilt.
First, clear the area of any obstacles. There is nothing worse than being on the third leg of a chase and getting stuck on a spawned rock or a tropical wood branch. Once the path is clear, walk toward the monkey until it notices you and runs.
Follow it.
It will stop and look back. Approach again. It will run again.
Do this exactly four times. On the fourth stop, the monkey will do a little "victory" pose—a bit of a wiggle—and the "Approach" prompt will finally light up. If you click it and your inventory is empty of cooked meals, you’ve just wasted a chase. Always check your pockets before you start the Dreamlight Valley monkey business.
The Mistake Everyone Makes
One of the biggest frustrations players report on Discord and Reddit is the "infinite chase." This happens when you accidentally trigger a second critter’s AI or if the monkey runs into a zone transition.
💡 You might also like: Why The Legend of Zelda OoT Walkthrough Still Matters Decades Later
If your monkey runs toward a set of stairs or a slope that leads to a different sub-region of Ancient's Landing, it might reset. Try to "steer" them. You can actually influence which direction they flee by approaching from a specific angle. If you want them to stay in the open area of the Docks, approach them from the stairs.
Also, keep in mind that you can only "collect" one of each color as a companion. After that, feeding them is mostly for the loot drops. The loot is actually decent—they often drop Dreamlight Fruit or seeds that are specific to the Eternity Isle biome.
Is the Reward Worth the Effort?
Honestly? It depends on how much of a completionist you are. Having a monkey following you around the Valley is pretty cute. They have great animations. But the process of cooking a 5-star meal just to play tag four times can feel like a chore when you’re trying to finish the main story quests with Jafar.
However, if you're hunting for the "Special" category in your collection tab, you don't have a choice. You need to feed them. The Red and White one is the biggest pain because of its limited window. If you miss that Wednesday morning/afternoon slot, you're waiting another week.
Practical Steps to Master the Monkey Chase:
- Stock up on Slush Ice: Visit Remy’s pantry. You’re going to need a lot of it for those Banana Splits.
- Clear the Docks: Spend two minutes picking up wood and stones in Ancient’s Landing so you don't get snagged during the chase.
- Check the Clock: If it’s a Wednesday, prioritize the Overlook immediately to find the Red and White variant.
- Count to Four: Don't get impatient. The prompt will appear on the fourth stop. If it doesn't, you might have accidentally bumped into a decorative item that broke the "line of sight."
- Steer the Run: Approach from the direction you don't want them to go. Use your body to herd them toward the center of the zone.
Mastering the Dreamlight Valley monkey business is really just a test of patience. Once you stop treating it like a sprint and start treating it like a choreographed dance, you'll have the whole troop following you in no time. Just remember to bring the dessert. No one likes a monkey who's been promised a Banana Split and gets a raw apple instead.
To get started, head to the Docks in Ancient's Landing right now. Look for the Classic Capuchin—it's the most forgiving one to practice on. Make sure you have at least one 5-star meal in your backpack before you start the first chase. If you can successfully corner the Classic Capuchin twice, you'll have the rhythm down for the rarer versions that show up later in the week.