Nerdy Science Blog

“That guy is nose-picking like I do with my middle finger… Oh man… He’s so SEXY!”

Scientists from National Institutes of Health and two other Italian research institutions studied how imitation promotes social relationship.  Scientists used capuchin monkeys, a highly social species, as a study subject.  It is found that imitation helps stranger to engage a new group of friends better.  Studies showed that researchers who imitated the monkeys are more acceptable by the capuchin monkeys.  The monkeys spent more time with the imitators than non-imitators and it is easier to get the monkeys to engage in simple task by the imitators.

Imitation is also an unconscious behaviour among human beings.  Human beings are normally unaware of such behaviour, and those who were unaware being imitated are likely to feel affection and empathy.  Imitation may be a ticket to promote your social life, but please don’t over-do it.

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Baby baboon, “Daddy, can we have banana for dinner?”

Daddy baboon, “No!  We’ll be having mash banana for dinner.”

Baby baboon, “But we’re having mash banana for dinner since you’re the king.”

Daddy baboon, “I said MASH BANANAAAAA!”

A report published in the November 20th issue of Current Biology shows that baboons are loyal animal who follow what their leader tell them, for example, where to eat and what to eat.  This study is done by researchers of Zoological Society of London, which includes Andrew J. King, Caitlin M.S. Douglas, Elise Huchard, Nick J.B. Isaac, and Guy Cowlishaw.  The findings show that this can provide a lowest cost (in this case, food) compared to the ‘democratic’ in short-term.  The followers can also gain long-term benefits, such as reduced risk of being eaten by predators.  This study also helps us understand how a group makes decisions, how leaders emerge, and the psychology of followers.

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Despite the scene of macaque monkey raping a cat witnessed by one of the authors here, Indonesian long-tailed macaques were observed for catching fishes along the rivers by researchers from The Nature Conservancy and the Great Ape Trust.  The findings of fishing macaques was published in last month’s International Journal of Primatology.  Researchers said the phenomenon showed that monkeys changed its food source to fish in order to adapt the changing environment.  Long-tailed macaques were not the only monkey species observed for fishing.  The fishing behaviour was also found in Japanese macaques, chacma baboons, olive baboons, chimpanzees and orangutans.  Other scientists doubt the observations were only isolated events.

(news)

Youzi witnessed macaque raped a cat (poor cat). The monkey must be desperate. Today I read this piece of news revealing why monkeys shout during sex.

Female monkeys may shout during sex to help their male partners climax, research now reveals.

Without these yells, male Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus) almost never ejaculated, scientists found.

I guess maybe the macaque youzi saw just need cats’ high pitch miaws to help it to reach the climax.

Research also revealed that female monkey only shouts when they’re at the most fertile stage.

Went to Batu Caves this morning for photo shooting, found a lots of playful long-tailed macaques. I tried to get closer to them to get a better shoot, found that they are quite approachable, not afraid of humans.

Caught this funny scene accidentally, lol!

but thanks god, the pity cat got to ran away.
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