Mandrill Monkey's Cure For Boredom - A Pedicure!
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
It appears that Mandrill monkeys in captivity are getting smarter by the day - Just a few weeks ago, researchers revealed a group that had figured out sign language to get some space - Now, another one has been caught on tape as it gives itself a 'pedicure' using a custom-built nail file!
This smart male Mandrill, who lives at England's Chester Zoo, was being observed for a totally different study, when researcher Dr. Richard Pansini noticed something interesting. The animal sought out a twig from within its cage, thinned it so that it could slide under his toe nails and then, proceeded to do a rather fine job of cleaning them.
The reason the research community is excited by this crude 'pedicure' is because it shows the creation and usage of tools. This in turn, proves a level of intelligence that had previously been thought to be possessed only by humans. However, recently tool usage has been observed in dolphins, octopuses, chimpanzees and even crows. While monkeys have also been seen using tools, it has rarely been outside the realm of acquiring food.
What's even more exciting to Dr. Pansini is that in the past these primates have used twigs to clean out their ears, but this monkey has figured out how to modify the same 'tool' and use it for a totally different purpose.
And, even more interesting is the fact that the researcher believes that giving themselves 'pedicures' is not something Mandrill monkeys do in the wild - They are too busy trying to forage for food and tend to their families. However, since there is not much to do in the zoo, he thinks that this Mandrill has figured out this frivolous activity to pass the time!
Of course, not all experts agree with this conclusion. Dr. Amanda Seed, a researcher at the University of Andrews maintains that when a primate uses something for self-cleaning, it is not technically 'tool usage'. Whatever it is, we think this Mandrill is quite smart - Don't you?
Resources: physorg.com
Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
214 Comments
- Gabby T.over 14 yearsFrom these 3 articles, I kind of think that all the animals are smart. But if I had to choose one, I think I would pick the dolphin because these dolphins are certainly trained by well-trained dolphin trainers. I think the dolphin has the mind of a human. If these dolphins are able to mimick a whistle or even push buttons on a keyboard, these animals are certainly smarter than the madrill monkey.
- Maciek S.over 14 yearsI think that the Mandrill monkeys are smarter than the dolphans because in the text it said that ''Mandrill monkeys in captivity are getting smarter by the day ''.Scienticts also said that Mandrill monkeys in the wild dont usually make their own tools. I was so suprised that monkeys could give themselvs pedicures.
- Vanessa Lover 14 yearsEven though I like monkeys, i think that dolphins are smarter than Mandrill monkeys because dolphins can whistle to communicate. I think monkeys do a lot of stuff just like people can. So I am not very suprised that it can do that. And in the video, in my opinion i think that it was not very suprising. That is why I think dolphins are smarter than Mandrill monkeys.
- Katie Tover 14 yearsI think that the Mandrill monkeys are the smartest monkey or maybe they are even smarter than the dolphins because in the article it says that "it appears that mandrill monkeys in captivity are getting smarter by day" they know more than me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean sign language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love to have a custom 'on the go' pedicure to. They make their own tools, they have (sometimes) more than one use for a tool, they are most likely more intelegent than humans it does not get any better than that, period.
- Katie T.over 14 yearsI think Mandrill monkeys are very smart but I would not want to clean my ears with sticks. (Is'nt that dangeorus)
- Shyal C.over 14 yearsI think that the mandrill monkeys are smarter than dolphins. I think the mandrill monkeys are smarter because they know how to change and use tools for a total different purpose. In the article it said that the mandrill's intelligence is compared to a human's intelligence.They used twigs to give themselves pedicures. Also, when they cover their eyes they are either upset or getting bullied. They also wanted to be alone when they covered their eyes. This gesture is something they created by themselves.This shows that they are smart. The dolphin, in my opinion, based on the article I read, wasn't as intelligent as the mandrill monkey. So I think the mandrill monkeys can do better things than dolphins.
- Nina Palmaover 14 yearsOnce again, I still think that the Mandrill monkeys are the smartest. They can do alot of things like cover there eyes from the bright sun, give themself a pedicure, and it makes a sign that says please do not disturb. The dolphins can communicate with people, play with toy balls, and do tricks. The Mandrill monkeys are able to do more things than the dolphin because of its hands and feet. The Mandrill monkey is the closest animal to humans. It was very exiting learning about these two animals.
- Enoma E.over 14 yearsI believe that dolphins are smarter. For example, the dolphins are able to have a way that we can communicate with them and they can communicate with us. Also, the dolphins can mimic the whistles of the scientists. Lastly, the dolphins are able to recruit other dolphins in the two- way communication exercise. This is why I think that dolphins are smarter than mandrill monkeys.
- Alexisover 14 yearsFrom reading these articles I know wich one is smarter. The animal who is smarter is the dolphin. The reason the dolphin is smarter is because the dolphin can communite to humans like me. The Mandrill Money is also smart because it cuts thir own toe nails. The trainers is Florida most work hard.
- Luciaover 14 yearsthat is so cool.U know those monkeys r so asom.