Monkeywire
@monkeywire.bsky.social
Primate news, with a bent toward the strange and troubled relationship between humans and other primates. Wikipedia primate beat.
Cockblocking in Japanese macaques as observed by Huffman (1984) and summarized by Thelma Rowell (1988):
October 30, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Cockblocking in Japanese macaques as observed by Huffman (1984) and summarized by Thelma Rowell (1988):
This anecdote is from Gorilla, an excellent little book describing early accounts of gorilla hunting. I was particularly struck by how these game hunters from the West — even conservationist Carl Akeley — all wrote how wrong it was for OTHER people to hunt gorillas, making exceptions for themselves.
October 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
This anecdote is from Gorilla, an excellent little book describing early accounts of gorilla hunting. I was particularly struck by how these game hunters from the West — even conservationist Carl Akeley — all wrote how wrong it was for OTHER people to hunt gorillas, making exceptions for themselves.
Today’s collective sigh for humanity comes from a "classic" children’s book republished in 1960 (from the 1861 original), with this uniquely troubling excerpt. #primates
October 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Today’s collective sigh for humanity comes from a "classic" children’s book republished in 1960 (from the 1861 original), with this uniquely troubling excerpt. #primates
"So strong was the Egyptian interest in the baboon penis that it was employed as the central feature of their water-clocks. Carvings of seated male baboons were created in which water flowed through a hole in the phallus, marking the hours."
- Desmond Morris (2013)
- Desmond Morris (2013)
October 8, 2025 at 4:42 PM
"So strong was the Egyptian interest in the baboon penis that it was employed as the central feature of their water-clocks. Carvings of seated male baboons were created in which water flowed through a hole in the phallus, marking the hours."
- Desmond Morris (2013)
- Desmond Morris (2013)
Baboon researcher Thelma Rowell told a journalist in 1970 how she avoided a conflict in the African bush after accidentally scaring a group of elephants.
October 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Baboon researcher Thelma Rowell told a journalist in 1970 how she avoided a conflict in the African bush after accidentally scaring a group of elephants.
Patas monkey females in a caged group have been observered suckling the infants of other females. In the wild, females take each others’ babies after they reach 3 weeks, making it difficult for some field researchers to tell which infant belongs to which. Photo: Scot/flickr #primates
September 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Patas monkey females in a caged group have been observered suckling the infants of other females. In the wild, females take each others’ babies after they reach 3 weeks, making it difficult for some field researchers to tell which infant belongs to which. Photo: Scot/flickr #primates
You’d think 1924 editors would have needed to really struggle to make this racist bit of psuedoscience even stupider but somehow they managed.
www.newspapers.com/image/678206...
www.newspapers.com/image/678206...
September 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
You’d think 1924 editors would have needed to really struggle to make this racist bit of psuedoscience even stupider but somehow they managed.
www.newspapers.com/image/678206...
www.newspapers.com/image/678206...
Baya, a howler monkey @denverzoo.bsky.social has recently been seen hanging out with, cuddling, and riding her new capybara pal Rebecca. (Photos: Erik Bowker ) #mammals #primates
August 28, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Baya, a howler monkey @denverzoo.bsky.social has recently been seen hanging out with, cuddling, and riding her new capybara pal Rebecca. (Photos: Erik Bowker ) #mammals #primates
Sure, Ladygina-Kohts was a pioneering comparative psychologist in 1935, but did she really need to stuff her dead chimpanzee Joni and let her toddler ride him?
August 27, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Sure, Ladygina-Kohts was a pioneering comparative psychologist in 1935, but did she really need to stuff her dead chimpanzee Joni and let her toddler ride him?
Did the phrase "friends with benefits" start with the literature on baboons?
This is from Barbara Smuts' _Sex & Friendship in Baboons_ (1985). #primates
This is from Barbara Smuts' _Sex & Friendship in Baboons_ (1985). #primates
August 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Did the phrase "friends with benefits" start with the literature on baboons?
This is from Barbara Smuts' _Sex & Friendship in Baboons_ (1985). #primates
This is from Barbara Smuts' _Sex & Friendship in Baboons_ (1985). #primates
Just came across this (circa 1500) illustration of baby Jesus with a monkey. Why? www.loc.gov/pictures/ite...
August 22, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Just came across this (circa 1500) illustration of baby Jesus with a monkey. Why? www.loc.gov/pictures/ite...
In 1999, Russian zookeepers tried to teach an orangutan mother how to care for her newborn by showing her wildlife videos. But things didn’t quite go as planned for new mom Monika and her male partner. www.newspapers.com/image/403842960/?match=1&clipping_id=179317768 #primates
August 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
In 1999, Russian zookeepers tried to teach an orangutan mother how to care for her newborn by showing her wildlife videos. But things didn’t quite go as planned for new mom Monika and her male partner. www.newspapers.com/image/403842960/?match=1&clipping_id=179317768 #primates
Apeism is moral indifference toward the welfare of apes (as defined in a 2013 paper by E. Machery). The remedy? Using media to individualize animals - like Tonka! - and share their personal stories. #primates
August 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Apeism is moral indifference toward the welfare of apes (as defined in a 2013 paper by E. Machery). The remedy? Using media to individualize animals - like Tonka! - and share their personal stories. #primates
Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey. Family units have 1 adult male & several females, w/ the male resolving conflicts between the females. The species has a "high conciliatory tendency," resolving most disputes w/touching & gesture. (Photo: VCG)
August 13, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey. Family units have 1 adult male & several females, w/ the male resolving conflicts between the females. The species has a "high conciliatory tendency," resolving most disputes w/touching & gesture. (Photo: VCG)
3/ So here’s a guy who claims primates live in groups solely so they (males) can have lots of sex, that female monkeys are “prostitutes” — all the while accusing OTHER animal watchers of anthropomorphism.
August 3, 2025 at 4:19 PM
3/ So here’s a guy who claims primates live in groups solely so they (males) can have lots of sex, that female monkeys are “prostitutes” — all the while accusing OTHER animal watchers of anthropomorphism.
1/ Considered groundbreaking when first published, this book was fun to read only because it gets so much so wrong.
Zuckerman's 1932 book promoted myths about primates as highly aggressive beasts ruled by male sexuality.
Zuckerman's 1932 book promoted myths about primates as highly aggressive beasts ruled by male sexuality.
August 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
1/ Considered groundbreaking when first published, this book was fun to read only because it gets so much so wrong.
Zuckerman's 1932 book promoted myths about primates as highly aggressive beasts ruled by male sexuality.
Zuckerman's 1932 book promoted myths about primates as highly aggressive beasts ruled by male sexuality.
Singapore is a GOAT in managing human-monkey conflict but this new fad(?) caught our attention:
Monkeys are stealing car mirrors and playing with them in trees
www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/.... #primates
Monkeys are stealing car mirrors and playing with them in trees
www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/.... #primates
July 31, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Singapore is a GOAT in managing human-monkey conflict but this new fad(?) caught our attention:
Monkeys are stealing car mirrors and playing with them in trees
www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/.... #primates
Monkeys are stealing car mirrors and playing with them in trees
www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/.... #primates
1/ Summer nonfiction, anyone? Written in 1999, Parrot’s Lament is a fun collection of stories from zookeepers & others, heavy on great apes. We learn that chimps will try to steal your keys every time you walk past, for example, whereas orangutans will only do it when they know they’ll succeed.
July 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
1/ Summer nonfiction, anyone? Written in 1999, Parrot’s Lament is a fun collection of stories from zookeepers & others, heavy on great apes. We learn that chimps will try to steal your keys every time you walk past, for example, whereas orangutans will only do it when they know they’ll succeed.
2/ The secret, according to Itani, was NOT to focus on minute physical traits, such as moles, but to study a monkey’s aura: Does he have a "stupid" face, a "sneaky" countenance, etc.?
Intuiting "personalities" may have been anthropomorphic, but it produced results. Masao Kawaii (1969):
Intuiting "personalities" may have been anthropomorphic, but it produced results. Masao Kawaii (1969):
July 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
2/ The secret, according to Itani, was NOT to focus on minute physical traits, such as moles, but to study a monkey’s aura: Does he have a "stupid" face, a "sneaky" countenance, etc.?
Intuiting "personalities" may have been anthropomorphic, but it produced results. Masao Kawaii (1969):
Intuiting "personalities" may have been anthropomorphic, but it produced results. Masao Kawaii (1969):
1/ Western scientists were slow to take Japanese primatologists seriously, finding the work of pioneer Imanishi & his disciple Itani weird & anthropomorphic. In the 1950s, Westerners didn't believe it possible to distinguish hundreds of individual monkeys, as Japanese scientists did. (Alyssa M Arre)
July 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
1/ Western scientists were slow to take Japanese primatologists seriously, finding the work of pioneer Imanishi & his disciple Itani weird & anthropomorphic. In the 1950s, Westerners didn't believe it possible to distinguish hundreds of individual monkeys, as Japanese scientists did. (Alyssa M Arre)
"Contrafreeloading" describes primates' inclination to choose to work rather than get a reward for free. For ex., macaques have been known to prefer foraging or doing computer tasks for pellets over receiving handouts. The clip below is from a 2016 ABC-News piece on Lincoln Park Zoo enrichment.
July 15, 2025 at 4:34 PM
"Contrafreeloading" describes primates' inclination to choose to work rather than get a reward for free. For ex., macaques have been known to prefer foraging or doing computer tasks for pellets over receiving handouts. The clip below is from a 2016 ABC-News piece on Lincoln Park Zoo enrichment.
Though generally considered monogamous, LAR GIBBONS have also been known to stray. A female crouches on a branch facing away from a male to indicate her readiness for sex. The male approaches from behind & copulates while hanging. Afterward, they give an "ee-ee" whining squeal. (Pakawi Park/IG)
July 8, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Though generally considered monogamous, LAR GIBBONS have also been known to stray. A female crouches on a branch facing away from a male to indicate her readiness for sex. The male approaches from behind & copulates while hanging. Afterward, they give an "ee-ee" whining squeal. (Pakawi Park/IG)
2/ Evolutionary, it doesn’t make sense for these males to attack random babes in their group, as one could be their offspring.
The most successful adult males actively cultivate relationships with the young, as willing participants are far more helpful. (Pic: Alyssa M. Arre) #primates
The most successful adult males actively cultivate relationships with the young, as willing participants are far more helpful. (Pic: Alyssa M. Arre) #primates
June 18, 2025 at 8:50 PM
2/ Evolutionary, it doesn’t make sense for these males to attack random babes in their group, as one could be their offspring.
The most successful adult males actively cultivate relationships with the young, as willing participants are far more helpful. (Pic: Alyssa M. Arre) #primates
The most successful adult males actively cultivate relationships with the young, as willing participants are far more helpful. (Pic: Alyssa M. Arre) #primates
1/ Agonistic buffering is when male monkeys grab infants or young "friends" to use as buffers in a fight. Mostly you see this in Old World baboons & macaques.
A male faced with an attacker from his group will grab a youngster, bringing down the heat and distracting his rival. (Pic: Alyssa M. Arre)
A male faced with an attacker from his group will grab a youngster, bringing down the heat and distracting his rival. (Pic: Alyssa M. Arre)
June 18, 2025 at 8:49 PM
1/ Agonistic buffering is when male monkeys grab infants or young "friends" to use as buffers in a fight. Mostly you see this in Old World baboons & macaques.
A male faced with an attacker from his group will grab a youngster, bringing down the heat and distracting his rival. (Pic: Alyssa M. Arre)
A male faced with an attacker from his group will grab a youngster, bringing down the heat and distracting his rival. (Pic: Alyssa M. Arre)
2/
As a result, most monkeys refused to pull, preferring to go hungry.
The irony of torturing monkeys to study altruism was not lost on the contributors to BOOK #8. Unfortunatey, the book is pretty dated and not one to recommend.
As a result, most monkeys refused to pull, preferring to go hungry.
The irony of torturing monkeys to study altruism was not lost on the contributors to BOOK #8. Unfortunatey, the book is pretty dated and not one to recommend.
June 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
2/
As a result, most monkeys refused to pull, preferring to go hungry.
The irony of torturing monkeys to study altruism was not lost on the contributors to BOOK #8. Unfortunatey, the book is pretty dated and not one to recommend.
As a result, most monkeys refused to pull, preferring to go hungry.
The irony of torturing monkeys to study altruism was not lost on the contributors to BOOK #8. Unfortunatey, the book is pretty dated and not one to recommend.