19/08/2010

Sums up Much of (Human) History

Researchers have observed small monkeys called Japanese macaques going bananas at the sight of a flying squirrel.

This riled-up response is probably just a false alarm, with the monkeys mistaking the squirrel for a predatory bird. On the other hand, male macaques – some of whom give chase and even attack a harmless rodent – might be trying to impress females in their troop.

Adam Hadhazy, "Monkeys hate flying squirrels, report monkey-annoyance experts", Christian Science Monitor (via)

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