The use of tools in animals is well documented, but new researchers have discovered several monkeys in Indonesia that seem to use stones in a very specific way: as sex toys. When studying the population of 173 long -tailed monkeys, researchers observed monkeys that knocked and rubbed stones on their genitals and groin, according to a paper published this month in the Journal of Ethology. The behavior brings researchers to the hypothesis of “sex toys”.
Researchers evaluate theories in several ways. They observe young men are more likely than older men to take part in behavior, and that it is often followed by sexual physiological responses, such as erections. They also found actions with stones associated with other sexual behavior, such as installation.
Overall, researchers say data partly supports the theory that behavior is “sexually motivated.” Means that the monkey seems to do a “masturbation form assisted by tools,” Camilla Cenni, a PhD student at the University of Lethbridge in Canada and the research writer, told The New York Times.
The authors say the paper suggests monkeys from time to time can continue to use tools for behavior, such as masturbation, which are not directly bound to survival but have aspects of “fun” or “self-endangers”, such as “play and sexual activities underly. ” Many animals are known to use tools. Berang -bersing using stones to break the shells open for food, such as shellfish and shells. Dolphins use sea sponges to kick sand and uncover prey on the seabed. And the monkey has been documented on the video using stones to break the beans and open shells.
Animals have also been documented masturbating with objects, although less common. Most of the use of tools to serve clear survival purposes, such as eating.