Discover the Wild World of Primates: Top 9 Fun Facts That Will Make You Go Bananas!

1. Handedness Runs in Chimp Families

Stop monkeying around and lend a hand, or make that two: Chimpanzees in the wild exhibit a consistent preference for using either their left or right hand when performing a specific tool use task called "termite-fishing," with hand preferences being different for other tasks and even heritable, suggesting this lateralization of function associated with hand use has been around for at least 5 million years.
Source => pnas.org

2. Spider Monkeys: Nature's Parkour Masters

Oh, the places you'll leap! With a quick dash of acrobat and a pinch of parkour expert, the Brown-headed Spider Monkey is the true king of the jungle gym: This primate possesses an incredible sense of spatial awareness, allowing it to accurately gauge distances and nimbly leap up to 9 meters from branch to branch while traversing the treetops.
Source => animaldiversity.org

Did you know not all monkeys can swing through trees like Tarzan's sidekick? Discover the surprising truth about their tails! 🐒🌳

=> Fun Facts about Monkeys

3. Copycat Capuchins: Imitation Equals Affection

Just monkeying around or truly flattered?: Capuchin monkeys display increased affection towards those who imitate them, promoting positive social interactions and hinting at the possibility that imitation may be at the heart of altruistic behaviors in primates, including us humans.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

4. Bonobos' Steamy Stressbusters

Talk about a quick stress reliever: bonobos use sexual contacts as a way to chillax and squash social conflicts! Zoologists Zanna Clay and Frans de Waal have found that post-conflict victims who get some sexy-time exhibit fewer stress-related behaviors, like self-scratching, than those who receive other types of attention. So, bonobos may be filthy animals, but they're also zen masters!
Source => wired.com

5. Black Howler Monkeys: Colorful Age Progression

You'd think they went on some extreme makeover editions or perhaps they're big fans of hair dye: Male black howler monkeys turn black as they mature, while females maintain their blonde locks for life.
Source => nationalzoo.si.edu

6. Snow Monkeys' Hot Spring Retreat

Snow monkey business: these Japanese primates have been embracing the spa life for decades, and rumor has it they absolutely love a steamy soak under the frosty sky. A cozy revelation: Japanese snow monkeys in Jigokudani, Nagano, bathe in hot springs to battle the cold climate, maintain body temperatures, conserve energy, and reduce stress – a brilliant, hydrotherapy tactic we didn't see coming!
Source => earth.com

7. Chimpanzee Instagram Influencers

Move over, humans, it's time for some serious Insta-primates to take center stage on social media – even Tarzan would be proud of these tech-savvy jungle VIPs: Chimpanzees have demonstrated a knack for navigating intricate computer games and using smartphones to browse Instagram, showcasing their impressive cognitive abilities which happen to share up to 99% of their DNA with humans.
Source => theguardian.com

8. Macaques: Pioneers of Furry Flossing

Move over, MacGyver – these clever macaques have discovered the versatile world of human hair in their quest for oral hygiene! Nestled within the hallowed grounds of Lopburi's Prang Sam Yot shrine, these furry floss connoisseurs are proving that innovation isn't limited to primates of the homo sapien variety: In a unique cultural behavior exclusive to this group, long-tailed macaques in Lopburi, Thailand, have been observed using human hair as dental floss, a custom not seen in other macaque communities and earning them a divine status among the local population.
Source => pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

9. Capuchin Cashew-Cracking Connoisseurs

These capuchin monkeys must be nuts about nuts, especially when they turn into little cashew-cracking connoisseurs: They artfully use heavier stones for breaking open tough, dry cashews and lightly tap the fresher ones laden with the caustic but delicious Cashew Nut Shell Liquid, with males showing off their skills more frequently than the ladies.
Source => nature.com