2006-07-06 16:15:37 · 6 answers · asked by angel 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
It is difficult to say why they do it. Ethologists ( animal behavior researchers) belive that this grooming establishes social bonds,and enforces heirarchy. The more dominant individual will be groomed by their subordinates just as the richest and most powerful humans are waited on hand and foot by servants. Because primates form social bonds, grooming is a way of communicating without actually doing much. Plus, the amount of nutrients they get from the ectoparasites is a tiny added bonus. Males that court females will spend lots of time grooming them. They believe that this is a possible way of showing interest and emotion. Of course this is just speculation, and we usually put an anthropomorphic twist on everything to make it seem more human. We tend to say things like love, happiness, sorrow, emotion, feelings etc. these are human things....we dont know for a fact if animals even our close relatives feel these things as we do. Grooming also allows the more subordinate individuals a vetter chance at one day taking over as leader of the clan. The more active they are socially, the better their chances are of eventually userping the title. Just like politicians kissing babies and shaking hands... so maybe we arent as evolved as we think...hahaha Good question I hope that helped!
2006-07-07 03:27:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Grooming is way to keep clean and bond. Monkeys don't have clothes they can wash or ever go the hairdresser so this is their answer....
...makes me glad, I'm NOT a monkey. LOL
2006-07-06 16:23:19 · answer #2 · answered by Sara 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they pick bugs off each other, that's how they groom to get clean.
2006-07-06 16:18:34 · answer #3 · answered by unsersmyboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fleas, ticks, lice, yes to all of them, not excrement or "bugs".
They eat those because they are protein-rich and proteins are a limited resource on African jungles, so they "harvest" them from fellow chimps.
This behavior helps them to establish a well defined pecking system, and is very important to the "fabric" of their society.
2006-07-06 18:52:06 · answer #4 · answered by pogonoforo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are ignorant animals and not degenerate versions or precursor versions of self-aware, responsible human beings...!!!
2006-07-06 16:22:52 · answer #5 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Supplements their diet.
2006-07-06 17:43:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋