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Macaque monkeysin two separateJapaneseprefectures have taken the primatology world by storm after they were spottedattempting to matewithSika deer.
Most famously, a group in Jigokudani Park warm themselves by soaking in hot springs calledonsen.
The behavior represents culture because themonkeyslearn it socially, and it is isolated to a single group.
Though theyre a lesser-known example, macaques in various parts of Japan mount and ride Sika deer.
However, its not quite like humans riding horses.
Its not to displace from one location another, Dr. Sueur clarified.
Its maybe thermal regulation.
Grooming were sure about.
Macaques have complex social hierarchies, and juvenile males often leave their troops dominated by older males.
The University of Strasbourg-based primatologist considers this a prime example of social transmission.
I think he was in a former group where he maybe rode the deer without any sexual behavior.
And then I think even if he got some females, he continued to do it.
The others observed the behavior and learned to do it.
Dr. Sueur still believes thats what it is, though.
Its two kinds of innovation, maybe out of necessity, he said.
Meaning sexual frustration is a kind of necessity.
And all individuals feel sexual frustration at least once.
I think most of the males and also the females.
This is why its possible to observe it in several independent places.
Image credits:Cedric Sueur
There are some differences in the two monkey cultures.
As a result, some females during this time also have sexual behavior together.
Im not sure about it, the academic admitted.
I think its more because of the sexual frustration.
Nevertheless, he predicts this is enough to prompt the behaviors spread to other groups of monkeys.
Image credits:Wikimedia
The males have more pressure than females to show this behavior.
To test his hypothesis, Dr. Sueur and his team will return toJapanin April to study the macaques.
He will not only observe their behavior with the Sika deer but will watch for cultural behavior in general.
He sees the research as valuable for drawing parallels to human behavior.
We discover more and more in more and more species that they have intentions.
Its not only instinct.
More and more thinking about these parallels is a good way of thinking.
