Primate Behaviour

Introduction

• Primates, including lemurs, monkeys, apes, and humans, exhibit complex social behaviours and invest significant parental care in their offspring.
• Young primates learn vital skills for survival, such as communication, cooperation, and sharing, during their early stages of development.

Threat Displays in Primates

• When two social primates within a group compete for resources like mates, they often engage in threat displays or ritualistic displays.
• These displays are intended to make the primate appear larger and more intimidating.
• Eventually, one primate will concede defeat, leading to the display of appeasement behaviours, such as grooming, specific facial expressions, body postures, or sexual presentations.

Examples of Ritualistic Behaviour in Primates

• Chimpanzee: Displays may include hunched shoulders, arms held out, open mouth, and covered teeth.
• Gorilla: Ritualistic behaviours can involve chest-beating, roaring, strutting walk, and intense staring.
• Vervet Monkey: Displays may consist of head bobbing, open mouth, and an arched tail over the body.

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Primate Behaviour

Importance of Ritualistic Displays and Appeasement Behaviours

• Ritualistic displays and appeasement behaviours are crucial for reducing unnecessary conflict within close-knit primate groups.
• These behaviours increase the chances of group survival by resolving disputes without physical harm.

Formation of Alliances

• Primate societies often involve the formation of alliances between individuals.
• Alliances serve to boost social status within the group and can be strategically used for various purposes.