Taylor W. -- Humans are lucky they can get people to give them space verbally or just put up a “DO NOT DISTURB” sign. Animals on the other hand can’t just do that so they have to come up with different ways. Milly the mandrill monkey that lives at England's Colchester Zoo has developed a way; she puts her hand lightly over her eyes. When the zoo keepers saw this they assumed that she was just blocking but it was not until Mark Laidre visited the Zoo in 2007, that Milly's simple gesture received any credence. Having observed mandrills in the wild for over five years, the California-based evolution biologist was convinced that the monkey was trying to convey something. During his 100 hours of observation of the behavior of the zoo monkeys he noticed that when any member of the clan loosely placed their hands over the eyes, they were not approached or touched by the other monkeys as much. The sign also seemed to work as a begging plea by monkeys that were being 'bullied' by some of the stronger members of the clan who picked on people. Mandrill monkeys aren’t known to imitate humans; Mark believes that she first did it to hide from the other monkeys. This gesture has never been seen anywhere else so this smart monkey must have thought of it herself. When she reacted badly to the touch when she put up this gesture it pretty much turned in to a “Do Not Disturb” sign.
I think this is pretty awesome. This is one really smart monkey if they can figure out that’s this is a way to hid yourself from your group. I think this is related to the fact that humans when there sad and crying they cover their faces. This monkey might have seen someone when there embarrassed cover their face and got the idea from there. But even if it’s that the monkey may have thought of it herself. The clan is smart enough to get the message and use it themselves. This discovery might show that animals aren’t always as stupid as people think.Link: Mandrill Monkey Figures Out How to Get Some Space
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