Changing hierarchy in monkeys. The amazing world of primates

Primates are our closest relatives. In fact, we have much more in common with them than is generally believed. Man, under all layers of civilization, education, etiquette, decency and other husks, remains all the same primacy. This is indicated by instincts, which are very similar in humans and monkeys. Even the desire to create a clear hierarchy is present both in us and in our hairy relatives.

Hierarchy in monkeys

Usually primates form small groups, within which a clear hierarchical ladder is built. From what level of this ladder the monkey is located, the rights and opportunities that society assigns to it depend. Especially intensive rank-based fighting occurs between males, who always have something to share. Therefore, the change in hierarchy in monkeys rarely occurs bloodlessly. Often, you can rise higher only through a bloody coup.

Alpha male

Who is the leader in the monkey community? The dominant role is usually occupied by the alpha male. It is he who has the right to start the meal first and mate with any females that liked him. The dominant male can not take care of food, since he is always able to take it from a relative. He does not need to make himself a bed at night, because it is much easier to drive out another monkey from the already ready rookery. Some species have one dominant male in the group and several females forming a harem. There are monkeys that refer to females as their property, not allowing them to even briefly depart from themselves. But such relationships do not develop in all primates, many species live in a completely different way.

Hereditary hierarchy in monkeys. Types of social organization

The hierarchy of primates can differ significantly among themselves. What is the norm among one species of monkeys is inadmissible among representatives of another species. Not all primates form communities, some of them lead a solitary life, except for the period when the female cares for the cub. There are also such monkeys that form strong pairs for life. Usually their last baby lives with them. Some species form groups of one male and several females. In them, there is no one to challenge the dominant role of the dominant male. Sometimes such groups join together.

The most common form of association of primates are large groups in which there are dominant and subordinate males, as well as many females with cubs. In such cases, the hierarchy can be very different - from the despotic rule of one dominant male, to a whole vertical of power, where everyone stands at his own level. The social device of the chimpanzee is interesting. They do not form permanent alliances and often individuals move freely from one group to another, as necessary. Let's look at a couple of specific examples of hierarchy in monkeys.

Gorillas

One of the classic examples of a strict hierarchy is built in gorillas. Usually they live in groups, which include no more than four adult males and no more than 12 females. In addition to them, there are young animals in the group, most of which will break up when they reach adulthood. Changing the hierarchy in monkeys of this species is extremely rare, since the dominant male is usually larger and stronger than other candidates for the role of leader.

Relations between different groups of gorillas are rather tense. Usually their life is arranged so that each group lives on its territory, and meetings between representatives of different families are almost eliminated. But in cases where the meeting still took place, the alpha males begin to show each other strength, make awesome sounds and make a formidable appearance. Before the fight in this case is extremely rare, as the battle between such strong animals can end badly for all its participants.

Chimpanzee

Quite different is the case with the most primitive chimpanzee. They formed the most free and humane hierarchy in monkeys. The types of social organization of other species usually assume the complete dominance of some individuals over others, as well as a clear division between different families. At a chimpanzee all at all so. They form their communities in certain parts of the jungle. In such a huge community of individuals who are familiar to each other, monkeys constantly move from one group to another, and some prefer a single way of life. But even a single person can temporarily join a group without problems, if it is in his interest. Strangers do not expel chimpanzees, but calmly take them into society. We can say that this species is distinguished by the most friendly herd hierarchy in monkeys.

Of course, chimpanzees also have a hierarchical pyramid, the top of which is occupied by the main male. However, in this case, though he can afford a lot, he does not do this, preferring friendly relations with his congeners. The same applies to food, which is often divided equally among all monkeys. With such a loyal attitude, a change in the hierarchy in the monkeys of this species does not give significant bonuses. Of course, this type of interaction needs a rich system of conditional signals, which the chimpanzees perfectly master.

Amazing variety

As you have noticed, monkeys have different kinds of social hierarchy. Most likely, this is one of the ways to adapt to the conditions of the external environment. It is proved that the social skills of monkeys are not congenital. If the cub was grown in captivity, then it can not immediately adapt to the group, as it is not familiar with the social norms and special signals that parents teach their kids. The introduction of an individual unfamiliar with the organization of society, is unlikely to entail a change in the hierarchy of monkeys. The primate, who grew up in captivity, will have to adapt to the existing hierarchy or reap the bitter fruits of education in captivity. Thus, the social ladder of the monkey community will continue to please zoologists with its surprising quirks, since there are no prerequisites for its change.