Male chimpanzees can be pretty cruel to the females in their group. Why are some of them such jerks sometimes?
From an evolutionary perspective, this aggression is thought to serve two functions. First, it may serve the purpose of establishing dominance. This is particularly true for adolescent males, who rise through the ranks in their communities by establishing dominance over each of the females before working their way into the adult male hierarchy. But it may be true for adults as well, as these displays of dominance can signal their fighting ability to other males in the group without the increased risks associated with directing aggression towards those other males.
Second, research suggests that, in adults, female-directed aggression by males also serves as a form of coercion. In some communities, males that exhibit more aggression towards females have been shown to sire more offspring by either increasing the probability that a female will mate with them or decreasing the probability that she will mate with someone else.
Most captive male chimpanzees, Willy B included, don’t even exhibit copulatory behavior, since they were raised in such atypical physical and social environments. It’s interesting then, and unfortunate, that this predisposition towards female-directed aggression nevertheless persists.
These same adult males and females can at other times be quite playful with one another. In wild environments, this appears to be more evident when resources are abundant, which suggests that play—known to have significant social and developmental benefits in adolescents—also benefits adults when time and energy are available. This may be why we see so much play in adult captive chimpanzees—after all, in better environments, most of the nutritional resources they need are all provided to them. Of course, some forms of play can be a mechanism to ease an underlying tension, which may be why play is so common before feeding times. But in most cases, it’s hard to see it as anything other than two chimps having fun.
When we study other animals, we don’t think in terms of “good” and “bad” behavior. Instead, we try to describe what is and develop explanations for how it came to be that way. Living with chimpanzees on a daily basis, though, can challenge this kind of impartiality. You cheer when you see them playing together and film it so others can share in their fun. And you become frustrated and upset with them when they fight. And before long you find yourself—biology be damned!—rooting for Honey B, who would sooner die than give an inch to any of those dumb, bullying boys.
Honey B! that’s my girl!
(Hi everyone! So sorry I’ve been missing. Just an awful summer. I have a LOT of catching up to do.)
Glad to hear from you again! You were missed!
I was curious if this friendship was still blossoming. So happy to see these two having fun together!
Outside, Rayne really gets the last laugh because Willy B is still a little uncomfortable on that dang prickly grass so he can only chase Rayne so far! Oh Willy B! That sort of busts the whole tough guy dominance thingy you’re trying to pull off.
Thanks J.B., I always enjoy your teaching posts.
Oh, Willy! He just can’t help himself, huh? At least Rayne doesn’t seem to hold any hard feelings!
I’m rooting for Honey B! Now that she’s getting more comfortable outside, those mean old boys can’t just bother her and run away! I’d watch out if I were them, I’d hate to be on her bad side!
In the video, it’s mentioned that Willy often directs his aggression at Rayne, Lucky, or Dora. Does he not do so as much towards Mave and Honey B? Do you think it has to do with their previous history or due to the fact that Honey B isn’t afraid to beat him over the head with a scooter?
The scooter! :laughing:
I had the same question though, Eli
He doesn’t direct much aggression to HB and Mave and I would guess that it is because of their history and the fact that they clearly support him. Rayne certainly gives as good as she gets sometimes and that doesn’t slow Willy down so I don’t think HB’s scooter bashing is as much of a deterrent as it may seem.
It seems Raynee still loves the “arrest me!” game! :laughing:
Thank you, JB, I’ve often w9ndered about play among the wild ones. Just as nomadic peoples tend to produce fewer artistic creations just for the aesthetics (in contrast to settled, more permanent societies), I wondered if their free time gave them more time to play than wild chimps.
At least Willy B gives warning when he’s winding up. You’d think the ladies would run in the opposite direction. That ain’t no way to treat your lady, Willy B!