Mandrill Monkey Figures Out How To Get Some Space
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Humans have it quite easy. If they do not wish to be bothered, they either verbalize it, or better still, place a 'do not disturb' sign outside their rooms - But what's a poor monkey to do when it wants to be left alone?
Just ask Milly the mandrill monkey that resides at England's Colchester Zoo - She just covers her eyes with her hands when she needs some space - And, its seems as if other members of her clan have not only figured out what she means, but also, adopted the same technique themselves.
Milly, the only female among the 23-member strong community that resides at the Zoo first began using the gesture, when she was just three years old. While the Zookeepers noticed it, they assumed she was simply shielding her eyes from the sun.
It was not until Mark Laidre visited the Zoo in 2007, that Milly's simple gesture received any credence. Having observed mandrills in the wild for over five years, the California-based evolution biologist was convinced that the monkey was trying to convey something.
During his 100 hours of observing the behavior of the zoo monkeys he noticed that when any member of the clan loosely placed their hands over the eyes, they were not approached or touched by the other monkeys as much. The sign also seemed to work as a plea by monkeys that were being 'bullied' by some of the stronger members of the clan.
Since Mandrill monkeys are not known to imitate humans in the same way apes do, the researcher is sure that Milly did not pick the habit up from a visitor or zoo worker. Also, this kind of gesture has never been seen in the wild or at any other zoo, which leads Mark to conclude that the smart monkey came up with it, all on her own.
Mark believes that when Milly first performed the gesture, it's possible that she believed it hid her from the rest of the clan. When she reacted negatively at being touched, an association was possibly built between the gesture and the reaction, which is how it evolved into the 'do not disturb' sign. Pretty amazing - We wonder what other signs the smart monkey has come up with!
Mandrills, the largest member of the monkey species are also, the most colorful, with the face often sporting a red stripe in the center and blue ridges on the sides. They also have red nostrils and lips and yellow beards. Native to the Equatorial forests of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, the omnivores are closely related to baboons and drills.
Resources: echo-news.uk, dailymail.co.uk
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145 Comments
- brookeover 12 yearscute
- ????over 12 yearscool!!!!
- Tanner Bover 12 yearsI think that the mandrill monkey is smarter than the dolphin. I think this because the mandrill monkey thought of making gesters to describe how it feels. The dolphins were taught a method of communicating with people by humans. Also, the monkeys thought of something that the humans had thought of without seeing people do it. That is why I think the mandrill monkey is smarter.
- Jo$hua Thoma$over 12 yearsI think the mandrill monkey is very smart because it can find out how to be in a private space. This reminds me of when I was little. I covered my eyes when I played hide and seek, but I was still in the wide open.
- Grace S.over 12 yearsI think that the Mandrill Monkeys are the smartest because they came up with a sign to help tell other monkeys that the mandrill wants to be left alone. The other monkeys are also smart because they found out what the sign meant, and they caught on with it, too. Mandrills are very amazing and smart animals!
- Joris Bover 12 yearsI think all of the animals are smart, but if I have to pick one that is smartest it would be a Mandrill monkeys. It is amazing how a Mandrill monkeys can tell other monkeys to leave it alone. It is also amazing how it can give its self a pedicure. They had to be very smart to think of a way to tell other monkeys that they need a break. They also use simple tools not just getting food, but also for pedicures.
- ll_cool_Jover 12 yearsewww thats cool
- Ella Zervakisover 12 yearsI think that mandrill monkeys are smarter than dolphins because the monkeys shield there eyes to show that the want to be left alone. The monkeys did pedicures! I think that what they did is amazing. when they were bored they did something other than just jumping around. Monkeys also have hands so they can look at things and become smarter.
- Vanessa Lover 12 yearsI think that dolphins are smarter than Mandrill monkeys because they can whistle to communicate. But, the monkey article didn't really suprise me because monkeys are a little like humans, That's why I think dolphins are smarter than Mandrill monkeys. Even though I like monkeys and dolphins.
- Sabrina over 12 yearsI think Mandrill monkeys are smarter than dolphins. Mandrill monkeys shield their eyes to tell the other monkeys not to bother them or touch them. A female Mandrill monkey taught herself to do this and the monkeys understood. Also, Mandrill monkeys are smarter because they use tools, like twigs, not for gathering food, but for doing other things. They give themselves a pedicure. They find tool, create tools, and use them in different ways. In the article, Mandrill monkeys were compared to humans and might be as smart as humans. Humans have a long way to go to understand how to communicate with dolphins. In my opinion, I think Mandrill monkeys are smarter than dolphins.
