Monkeys have achieved something that even humans can’t seem to do: get their kids to floss regularly. Scientists observed mama monkeys in a 250-strong colony in Thailand showing their young how to floss, confirming that primates are able to teach their offspring how to use tools.
From The Telegraph:
“I was surprised because teaching techniques on using tools properly to a third party are said to be an activity carried out only by humans,” he said.
The study focused on the observation of seven female long-tailed macaques and interaction with their off spring at a colony of monkeys near Bangkok in Thailand.
The practice of teeth flossing doubled and became significantly more elaborate when they were in the presence of infant monkeys, suggesting that they were attempting to teach the technique to the young.
“The study is still at the hypothesis stage,” said Professor Masataka.
“We would like to shift our focus to the baby monkeys to check whether the mothers’ actions are effectively helping them learn how to clean their teeth.”
So they don’t do it regularly themselves but make their kids do it. Typical “do as I say, not as I do”, eh? Here’s the video:
But the weirdest thing of all was what they used to floss with: strands of human hair. Monkeys have previously been spotted using this technique, with some reportedly stealing hair right out of the scalps of people. Flossing with hair is pretty hardcore. Imagine all the floss we’d save if people did it that way! (Ewww…)
Link [The Telegraph]
