Contagious yawning in geladas

Yawning is a common phenomenon among vertebrates. Despite its widespread occurrence, the function of yawning remains a mystery 1. Indeed, yawning has been suggested as (i) a cooling mechanism for the brain to maintain cognitive function; (ii) a communicative behavior to indicate drowsiness or stress; (iii) a way to maintain vigilance/promote alertness among animals 2. [...]

Lost in translation: update from SMNP

Research on wild primates is an amazing process of discovery. The monkeys act out little parts in a cosmic soap opera that serves as the background to your dissertation research. While gelada social interactions form the basis of my research, interchanges with fellow language-using primates provide much need comic relief during my time out here. [...]

Back in the Simien Mountains

Hello all! This is my first post since arriving in the Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP), Ethiopia two weeks ago. Over the next two months, I will update BA&BHB with information gleaned from my pilot research on bachelor geladas living in all-male units here in SMNP. The past few weeks have been extremely busy–learning new [...]

A year (almost) in the field

My friend and colleague’s final essay in Nature’s post-doc journal has been published this week. You can read the summary of her research and reflections on nearly a year of fieldwork studying the behavior of wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada) in the chilly highlands of Ethiopia by following this link.

More Pan hunting

Earlier this year, I commented on an article describing the first instance of primate hunting by bonobos (Pan paniscus) [1]. Bonobos, like their more famous cousins—chimpanzees, hunt in groups. This is interesting because both chimpanzees and bonobos are omnivores; hence they need not hunt in groups to acquire adequate nutrition. While individual benefit from group [...]