Mandrill Monkey's Cure For Boredom - A Pedicure!
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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
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214 Comments
- Antony Linover 14 yearsI still think that the dolphins are smarter because the dolphens can use the computer and the monkeys don't. But the mandrilmonkeys doingthis is smart tobecause they know how touse the twigs toclean thier feet. And the other monkeys are smart to because they now how to use some kindof body laguage. But I stil think that the dolphins are way smarter, nicer, and more intelligent.
- Camryn Hover 14 yearsI think dolphins are smarter than the mandrill monkeys. I think they are smarter because monkeys are a lot like humans so they can do a lot of things that we can do. The monkey probably gave himself a pedicure because there was a lot of dirt under his toenails that he had to get it off. The monkeys can't tell the humans that something is wrong like dolphins can. That is why dolphins are smarter than mandrill monkeys.
- brockover 14 yearsMandrill monkets seem very smart it looks like they use real tools. Including pedicure tools. The only thing that concerns me is if it is a girl or a boy. If it is a boy he's a girl boy. it is a cool ecperience to see a monkey do this pedicure.
- plop99over 14 yearspedicure.........HOW 'BOUT A MANICURE
- trinidyover 14 yearsi dont think it is that exiting because alot of animals are smart so it dosent really exite methat is it.
- shaeover 14 yearsthats one smart crow im connecting to the monkey hes's so funny i am connecting to him beacuse i love to do my nails all the time!!!!!!
- Ryanover 14 yearsIt's amazing what monkey's can do.
- Lilyover 14 yearsOMG! thats so cute who knew animals got pedicures
- Kate C.over 14 yearsI think that the Mandrill Monkey is the smartest specie out of the others. I think that because of the article. In the article, it says that the Mandrill Monkey gets smarter each and every day! So that means after a month, the Mandrill monkey is about 30% smarter than it was from the begging. Plus, only and cool, hip, and smart animal would know how to gdo a pedicure! It's outrageously interesting that the Mandrill Monkey can give itself a pedicure, over finding a way for scientistes and dolphins to communicate. Therefore, the Mandrill Monkey is smartest.
- lalaover 14 yearsweird ?????