Scholars
who strive to learn more about human evolution from both the biological and
cultural perspective often turn to multiple lines of evidence. One means of completing this goal is to study living creatures to understand our hominid ancestors, and our closest living relatives, primates, provides a suitable sample for study. The following is a profile of one such primate that is studied by primatologists and is one of the more popular primates among anthropology students: the bonobo.
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| Image Credit: http://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Bonobo.aspx |
The bonobo (or the pygmy chimpanzee) live in the lowland
forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bonobos are the same size as regular
chimpanzees, but they are just slighter in build and have smaller heads and
shoulders. Bonobos are not avid hunters, only parttaking
in the activity on rare occasions, and there is no cooperative hunting. Also, it is an activity undertaken by the
females, not males. The game they hunt
include small animals, such as flying squirrels and antelope. Bonobos use tools for protection and social
behavior: e.g. using leaves as hats to keep them dry during the rain, sticks to
initiate movement of the group, as well as point individuals in the proper
direction.
Females are dominant in bonobo groups. Males have a camaraderie type of relationship
where they will instigate play fighting, but females respect those older than
them and have their hierarchy established based on seniority. Bonobos are very altruistic, meaning they will
participate in behaviors that are helpful to others but not necessarily
themselves. They will share food, including
but not limited to meat.
Bonobos cement their relationships through sexual activity. As demonstrated in the video,
bonobos are a very free sort of ape, and they really enjoy sexual intercourse
with one another, including heterosexual and homosexual relations. Bonobos will posture by bending over,
displaying their genitals, rubbing their bodies or bums against others, etc. as
invitations to sexual intercourse, either for pleasure or as requests for
forgiveness. Sex is usually
face-to-face, which is an uncommon position for all primate species. Also, another uncommon behavior among bonobos
is that females are almost always in estrus, making them always receptive to
sex. So sexual intercourse serves
psychological, social, and reproductive purposes and functions as a means to
ease tensions, resolve conflicts, greet individuals, offer reconciliation, and
provide reassurance. Sex has even been
used as a means of ensuring food procurement/sharing among bonobos as it has
been demonstrated that bonobos will participate in sexual intercourse prior to
eating.
22 comments:
I learned in class that bonnobos use tools for protection and social behavior and that they are very intelligent because they make tools to catch there prey this article was helpful and informational.
briana banuelos anthro 102 10001
These are interesting animals! I am glad to know females are higher in status and usually have control, that Is quite different from most other species. The fact that females do the hunting and males play fight could possibly be a slower development of the brain in my opinion. Interesting how sexual intercourse is open amongst all individuals in the groups.
Great post!
Zachary Forrester
anthro 101 3001 summer
Zach, there is absolutely no reputable evidence out there to support your hypothesis that slower development of the brain affects social relations in either nonhuman primate or human primate species (or any other animal species) around the globe.
To me apes of any type are fascinating creatures.
Is it because the females are dominate in the bonobo society that sex plays a major role in their social structure? This is interesting to know and find out how the social structure has played out. This also begs the question in a female dominated society will altruistic traits prevail? When we look at our own male dominated culture we see the "every man for himself" syndrome without consideration for the common man.
I'm actually not sure why sex is so integral to Bonobo society. There has been very little study on bonobos until recently (last five to ten years). You are more than welcome to look into it as the topic interests you. :)
I knew from the videos in class in regards to language that bonobos were smart animals but their sexual relationships were new to me. I never knew they were such sexual creatures! It is cool that the females take on more roles when it comes to social hierarchy, we need more animals and humans like that.
We also watched a video in class regarding bonobo behavior- including their sexual tendencies- and I got a good laugh. Sex to them is natural and instinctual but we see more humans being more reserved and private about their sex life. In our culture, sex is usually a private conversation, not an invite to share food. But like some of the above commenters, I also think it's refreshing to have a species where females are higher in the social hierarchy.
It's fascinating to see an animal show compassion and perform selfless actions towards others. I feel like that is a step towards intelligence; to recognize another's struggle and reach out. Their social behavior in general is fascinating and complex.
It's interesting that Bonobos are altruistic. Many animals aren't.
I think it is very interesting that the female Bonobos are more dominant than the males, most Animalia it is the other way around, as far as there sexual relations that seems to be the same as human in the respect for the reasoning not just for procreation
Ashley Jacobson
Its very interesting to see that the males are not in control of their female bonobos. Bonobos kinda relate to the human with releasing tensions and greeting the other sex with love. When reading this article it was very different but a great learning experience for people who study animals.
This would be a great article that should be reposted for our paper 3 assignment about the primates it had a great flow and very interesting facts about the bonobos that I didn't even think that they can really do. All primates have their own special characteristics and its fun to learn about.
It's really crazy to see that there are animals that have females that are the dominant ones in the community physically outweighing the males, is this natural for any other primate sub group?
I think its interesting that they use sex as a way to resolve conflict and ask when wanting forgiveness.
It's nice to know that females aren't only dominant in human form but as well dominant as a Bonobos.
I am glad to know females are higher in status and usually have control, that Is quite different from most other species
Jovie Black
Are these related to chimps? They kind of look like chimps .
The fact that the male, basically gets punked by the female. Are these the animals that don't care about sexual contact? As in, They can have sexual relations with one Bonobo and go have sexual relations with another one? If I remember correctly from class?
Its great to see women are dominating as humans and even species. Woman make the world go around and thats a fact. It seems like their sexual relations are similar to humans and thats really cool to see.
I love this article! Its very interesting to see that the males are not in control of their female bonobos. You usually see that men love trying to be in charge and over power women. - Alexis Buford
This article is interesting. It interesting to see that female is more dominate and have more power than the males.
-Lavonza Marshall
It's not a surprise that they are the most popular primates among students. Especially since they deal with things a little differently. It's very interesting how they just go into having sex when they have a problem or are just angry. I always wonder though if it was the same gender mad at each other what would they do. But as said in the blog post they don’t care and are open to those things. And then not to mention are in charge among them. They are like the head instead of the males. Which is not very common to my knowledge.
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