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Why are Japanese macaques humping deer?
- mc32 9y agoIt seems like it's somewhat symbiotic in that the adolescent macaques derive sexual pleasure/"practice" from the interaction while the deer have parasites cleaned off them. Also, as they mentioned, it will be interesting if this behavior persists and becomes integrated into their culture or will be forgotten. On a side note, do the researchers seem to share an uncomfortable photo there, or is that just my misinterpretation?
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- whatshisface 9y ago>the researchers seem to share an uncomfortable photo It seems like they're sweaty and exhausted, presumably from hard work in an unfamiliarly hot climate.
- mc32 9y agoFor sure, it's possible. Like I said, I could be wrong. It just looks like the lean-in is one way. But yeah, it could also be exhaustion or other things.
- ACow_Adonis 9y agoAs an Aussie, thats what you call a "european in a tropical environment" pose. The other variant of it usually involves flaking skin on newly formed tans and sunburn so bad its started to go almost purple. But the root cause is essentially the same. Plus, they're researchers guys, what do you think scientists in the field actually look like :P
- brailsafe 9y ago1) Certainly possible that that's the only mutually beneficial component. We see that with marine animals quite often. The deer in the video totes doesn't give a fuck. 2) The photo also stuck me as a little weird. Could be because the man seems simultaneously more sweaty and more excited than the woman. That sort of pose is something I'd do with someone that expect to reciprocate by doing the same or leaning in. That said, it's also likely that the photographer wanted a photo and expects some sort of pose. Could have been more awkward to just there.
- shak77 9y agoI see absolutely nothing weird with the photo.
- barking 9y agoMe neither
- interfixus 9y agoAccording to the caption, the photo is a selfie. Guy's just come running from the tripod (or rock or whatever). Doesn't make for great or natural poses.
- mc32 9y agoAha! That is a very likely explanation. Thanks.
- noncoml 9y agoWho doesn't enjoy a nice back scratch? Humans do, domestic animals do, bears do, this guy https://imgur.com/gallery/HllqVPF https://imgur.com/gallery/HllqVPF does. I imagine so do the deer.
- generalizethis 9y agoSo deer are nature's equivalent of an off-balance washing machine?
- deftturtle 9y agoOh deer, macaque.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]