Why Do Monkeys Clean Each Other?
Certainly, on more than one occasion, you’ve seen monkeys cleaning each other up in a sanctuary, zoo or documentary. Far from just removing fleas and insects, this behavior is part of the human species.
Why do monkeys clean each other?
When monkeys clean each other, they’re not just eliminating parasites. This action has a huge social function and the more of this there is between two animals, the better their relationship will be.
Also, when monkeys clean each other up, there is a greater likelihood that prosocial behaviors will show up. That is, helping behaviors and altruism. Since non-human primates tend to cooperate more after these “cleaning” sessions, something that has been seen in species such as chimpanzees.
In fact, in many species monkeys clean each other up in exchange for favors such as food, while males also use this strategy to attract females.
Other functions
The monkeys groom each other in different contexts, how to make peace es. This is believed to release tensions between animals and restore social balance, even in events as dire as a four-year war between animals.
Thus, this type of cleanliness is a vital strategy for maintaining stability in primate groups, so before fights, it’s usually the winner who gets to do it. Even if the defeated animal remains afraid, it can be comforted in this way by another monkey.
Monkeys clean each other to form alliances; thus, a request for help will be better assisted by individuals who strengthen their bonds through this kind of cleanliness. Since, in most primates, it is more important to have a good network of contacts than to have to use brute force; an example of this is the bonobo.
Cleanliness in monkeys cannot be lacking
Primates are especially sensitive to touch, and during the early stages of life touch is vital. This was shown by a scientist named Harlow ; although, thanks to him, the orphans of human and non-human primates are now better taken care of, his experiments were of great cruelty.
Harlow raised groups of monkeys in total isolation, and gave others the option of growing up with grotesque wire mothers; the monkeys preferred the softest mothers they could hug, even though she didn’t give milk and they starved to death.
Human caresses and the cleanliness of monkeys
An anthropology study revealed that the problem with this type of cleanliness is that it does not relate to a large number of animals, as it is necessary to invest a lot of time in a single relationship. There are clear differences in how monkeys clean each other depending on the size of the group.
That’s why humans need other ways to relate, as we have much larger groups : so humans use conversations or dance to strengthen social relationships.
