Monkeys Teach Their Young to Floss

Macaque monkeys in Lopburi, Thailand, were observed apparently teaching their young how to floss.  These particular monkeys used human hair from visitors to the shrine.  Because the visitors view the monkeys as divine servants, they allow them to pluck their hair. 

Japanese researchers, led by Nobuo Masataka of the University at Kyoto, focused on 7 female Macaque’s each with one year old infants:

“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.”

Link

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Geekazoid.