so National Geographic asked us here tonight to tell you about a day in the
tonight to tell you about a day in the
tonight to tell you about a day in the life of gelato monkeys and what it’s
life of gelato monkeys and what it’s
life of gelato monkeys and what it’s like to live alongside them for the past
like to live alongside them for the past
like to live alongside them for the past decade the vet and I have spent years
decade the vet and I have spent years
decade the vet and I have spent years living a loss on alongside this species
living a loss on alongside this species
living a loss on alongside this species in a unique kind of alpine
in a unique kind of alpine
in a unique kind of alpine out-of-the-way corner of Ethiopia but
out-of-the-way corner of Ethiopia but
out-of-the-way corner of Ethiopia but before we get too far into monkeys we
before we get too far into monkeys we
before we get too far into monkeys we need to start with geography because
need to start with geography because
need to start with geography because this is the key to understanding the
this is the key to understanding the
this is the key to understanding the species success and we’re at National
species success and we’re at National
species success and we’re at National Geographic after all so we kind of have
Geographic after all so we kind of have
Geographic after all so we kind of have to start with this if we look at this we
to start with this if we look at this we
to start with this if we look at this we have a map of Africa and you can see
have a map of Africa and you can see
have a map of Africa and you can see this is an elevation map of Africa if we
this is an elevation map of Africa if we
this is an elevation map of Africa if we just highlight the mountains in Africa
just highlight the mountains in Africa
just highlight the mountains in Africa you’ll notice a pattern emerges right
you’ll notice a pattern emerges right
you’ll notice a pattern emerges right away they all cluster kind of into the
away they all cluster kind of into the
away they all cluster kind of into the east you might think of Kilimanjaro when
east you might think of Kilimanjaro when
east you might think of Kilimanjaro when you think of mountains in Africa that’s
you think of mountains in Africa that’s
you think of mountains in Africa that’s just a speck on this map 80% of all
just a speck on this map 80% of all
just a speck on this map 80% of all mountains in Africa are located in one
mountains in Africa are located in one
mountains in Africa are located in one country Ethiopia Ethiopia stands apart
country Ethiopia Ethiopia stands apart
country Ethiopia Ethiopia stands apart it’s the roof of Africa
so this is where Rebecca and I found
so this is where Rebecca and I found ourselves a decade ago living at 11,000
ourselves a decade ago living at 11,000
ourselves a decade ago living at 11,000 feet out of tents overlooking the Great
feet out of tents overlooking the Great
feet out of tents overlooking the Great Rift Valley it was a big adjustment to a
Rift Valley it was a big adjustment to a
Rift Valley it was a big adjustment to a new environment for us but there was an
new environment for us but there was an
new environment for us but there was an even larger adjustment that we had to
even larger adjustment that we had to
even larger adjustment that we had to make adjusting to an entirely new
make adjusting to an entirely new
make adjusting to an entirely new society primate Society one full of
society primate Society one full of
society primate Society one full of lovers quarrels tragic loss and their
lovers quarrels tragic loss and their
lovers quarrels tragic loss and their never-ending obsession with food I was a
never-ending obsession with food I was a
never-ending obsession with food I was a little bit dubious how this is going to
little bit dubious how this is going to
little bit dubious how this is going to work out when I first got there but to
work out when I first got there but to
work out when I first got there but to be fair the monkeys were a little bit
be fair the monkeys were a little bit
be fair the monkeys were a little bit dubious about us at first as well but we
dubious about us at first as well but we
dubious about us at first as well but we kind of grew into getting used to each
kind of grew into getting used to each
kind of grew into getting used to each other to start off with this was never
other to start off with this was never
other to start off with this was never part of my own long-term plan in fact
part of my own long-term plan in fact
part of my own long-term plan in fact growing up as a kid I was interested in
growing up as a kid I was interested in
growing up as a kid I was interested in a remote region a little bit further
a remote region a little bit further
a remote region a little bit further north the Arctic I read a lot about
north the Arctic I read a lot about
north the Arctic I read a lot about Arctic explorers and became interested
Arctic explorers and became interested
Arctic explorers and became interested in how plants and animals can survive in
in how plants and animals can survive in
in how plants and animals can survive in such a difficult ecosystem so as I was
such a difficult ecosystem so as I was
such a difficult ecosystem so as I was finishing up my college program I
finishing up my college program I
finishing up my college program I started looking for field jobs and I
started looking for field jobs and I
started looking for field jobs and I came across one
came across one
came across one that was relating to monkeys in the
that was relating to monkeys in the
that was relating to monkeys in the mountains of Ethiopia I was like hmm
mountains of Ethiopia I was like hmm
mountains of Ethiopia I was like hmm this is interesting this is a different
this is interesting this is a different
this is interesting this is a different direction I’d like to know a little bit
direction I’d like to know a little bit
direction I’d like to know a little bit more about this so I just sent off an
more about this so I just sent off an
more about this so I just sent off an email to the other person that posted
email to the other person that posted
email to the other person that posted the ad and I got a short you know kind
the ad and I got a short you know kind
the ad and I got a short you know kind of terse reply back from a satellite
of terse reply back from a satellite
of terse reply back from a satellite email account in this I was introduced
email account in this I was introduced
email account in this I was introduced to the guava gelada research project
to the guava gelada research project
to the guava gelada research project which was founded by doctors Peter
which was founded by doctors Peter
which was founded by doctors Peter Fasching and Nia when to research
Fasching and Nia when to research
Fasching and Nia when to research anthropologists based out of the US I
anthropologists based out of the US I
anthropologists based out of the US I asked a couple questions I was like
asked a couple questions I was like
asked a couple questions I was like what’s the deal with this can you give
what’s the deal with this can you give
what’s the deal with this can you give me some information I might like to
me some information I might like to
me some information I might like to apply and so Peter wrote back he said
apply and so Peter wrote back he said
apply and so Peter wrote back he said you know thanks for your interest this
you know thanks for your interest this
you know thanks for your interest this is a position for no pay for one year so
is a position for no pay for one year so
is a position for no pay for one year so we moved to a really remote part of
we moved to a really remote part of
we moved to a really remote part of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia the climatic conditions are pretty tough
the climatic conditions are pretty tough
the climatic conditions are pretty tough here you won’t have much contact with
here you won’t have much contact with
here you won’t have much contact with your family and the food situation at
your family and the food situation at
your family and the food situation at campus is kind of bland but and you
campus is kind of bland but and you
campus is kind of bland but and you really sold this part we have a
really sold this part we have a
really sold this part we have a solar-powered fridge that you can start
solar-powered fridge that you can start
solar-powered fridge that you can start treats in if you really want but the
treats in if you really want but the
treats in if you really want but the fridge is also full of fecal samples so
fridge is also full of fecal samples so
fridge is also full of fecal samples so you have to really wrap them up really
you have to really wrap them up really
you have to really wrap them up really well and it’s very earnest about this
well and it’s very earnest about this
well and it’s very earnest about this it’s like okay well you know this sounds
it’s like okay well you know this sounds
it’s like okay well you know this sounds kind of intriguing and then he had this
kind of intriguing and then he had this
kind of intriguing and then he had this other comment it’s beautiful here it’s
other comment it’s beautiful here it’s
other comment it’s beautiful here it’s like okay I think you’ve ticked all the
like okay I think you’ve ticked all the
like okay I think you’ve ticked all the boxes maybe it’s time for me to apply
boxes maybe it’s time for me to apply
boxes maybe it’s time for me to apply and so he asked a couple questions of me
and so he asked a couple questions of me
and so he asked a couple questions of me what kind of research experiences or
what kind of research experiences or
what kind of research experiences or winter camping or whatnot do you have
winter camping or whatnot do you have
winter camping or whatnot do you have that make you feel qualified for this
that make you feel qualified for this
that make you feel qualified for this position so I grew up in suburban New
position so I grew up in suburban New
position so I grew up in suburban New Jersey had never been camping before in
Jersey had never been camping before in
Jersey had never been camping before in my life and I’d done a research project
my life and I’d done a research project
my life and I’d done a research project on squirrels before in college so I
on squirrels before in college so I
on squirrels before in college so I threw my best pitch together and you
threw my best pitch together and you
threw my best pitch together and you know sent it off over the satellite
know sent it off over the satellite
know sent it off over the satellite airwaves
airwaves
airwaves and somehow a couple weeks later I had a
and somehow a couple weeks later I had a
and somehow a couple weeks later I had a ticket booked to Ethiopia to arrive in
ticket booked to Ethiopia to arrive in
ticket booked to Ethiopia to arrive in Addis Ababa a couple days after my
Addis Ababa a couple days after my
Addis Ababa a couple days after my college graduation so a little insight
college graduation so a little insight
college graduation so a little insight into my psyche at this time point in my
into my psyche at this time point in my
into my psyche at this time point in my life was revealed well it’s kind of
life was revealed well it’s kind of
life was revealed well it’s kind of digging through all the emails to
digging through all the emails to
digging through all the emails to prepare for this talk this is the final
prepare for this talk this is the final
prepare for this talk this is the final email that I wrote to Peter
email that I wrote to Peter
email that I wrote to Peter you know this PhD biologist that I had
you know this PhD biologist that I had
you know this PhD biologist that I had never met before and I really wanted to
never met before and I really wanted to
never met before and I really wanted to impress I signed off like this that’s
impress I signed off like this that’s
impress I signed off like this that’s about all for me I’m off the Taco Bell
about all for me I’m off the Taco Bell
about all for me I’m off the Taco Bell for maybe the last time this year let’s
for maybe the last time this year let’s
for maybe the last time this year let’s hope I won’t need that anti diarrheal
hope I won’t need that anti diarrheal
hope I won’t need that anti diarrheal medication earlier than plan
medication earlier than plan
medication earlier than plan regards Jeff I don’t know what I was
regards Jeff I don’t know what I was
regards Jeff I don’t know what I was thinking
thinking
thinking seemed like a good idea at the time but
seemed like a good idea at the time but
seemed like a good idea at the time but I really want to thank them for giving
I really want to thank them for giving
I really want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to go to this place
me the opportunity to go to this place
me the opportunity to go to this place and then upon a little bit further
and then upon a little bit further
and then upon a little bit further reflection I thought maybe there’s
reflection I thought maybe there’s
reflection I thought maybe there’s weren’t that many applicants all right
weren’t that many applicants all right
weren’t that many applicants all right so in this in September of 2007 I joined
so in this in September of 2007 I joined
so in this in September of 2007 I joined Jeff at the Casa where he had spent the
Jeff at the Casa where he had spent the
Jeff at the Casa where he had spent the summer now
summer now
summer now I had just graduated from college where
I had just graduated from college where
I had just graduated from college where I’d studied physics and philosophy I’d
I’d studied physics and philosophy I’d
I’d studied physics and philosophy I’d mostly spent time in the library in the
mostly spent time in the library in the
mostly spent time in the library in the lab and like Jeff I grown up in the
lab and like Jeff I grown up in the
lab and like Jeff I grown up in the suburbs at this point I also had never
suburbs at this point I also had never
suburbs at this point I also had never been camping so as I was about to leave
been camping so as I was about to leave
been camping so as I was about to leave for the field I sent Jeff an email
for the field I sent Jeff an email
for the field I sent Jeff an email introducing myself and he wrote back
introducing myself and he wrote back
introducing myself and he wrote back with really long lengthy replies details
with really long lengthy replies details
with really long lengthy replies details about daily life at the Gua so full of
about daily life at the Gua so full of
about daily life at the Gua so full of his thoughts and feelings he seemed like
his thoughts and feelings he seemed like
his thoughts and feelings he seemed like he was pretty lonely up there we
he was pretty lonely up there we
he was pretty lonely up there we arranged to meet at the airport in Addis
arranged to meet at the airport in Addis
arranged to meet at the airport in Addis Ababa and he sent me a picture so I know
Ababa and he sent me a picture so I know
Ababa and he sent me a picture so I know who to look for which he now knows this
who to look for which he now knows this
who to look for which he now knows this so at this point I basically thought
so at this point I basically thought
so at this point I basically thought Jeff was crazy and getting on that plane
Jeff was crazy and getting on that plane
Jeff was crazy and getting on that plane I was actually pretty anxious about the
I was actually pretty anxious about the
I was actually pretty anxious about the upcoming year but to step back for a
upcoming year but to step back for a
upcoming year but to step back for a minute that summer of 2007 I had decided
minute that summer of 2007 I had decided
minute that summer of 2007 I had decided more or less overnight that I wanted to
more or less overnight that I wanted to
more or less overnight that I wanted to become a primatologist to spend the rest
become a primatologist to spend the rest
become a primatologist to spend the rest of my life studying primates it was
of my life studying primates it was
of my life studying primates it was because of this book by Robert Sapolsky
because of this book by Robert Sapolsky
because of this book by Robert Sapolsky called the primates memoir where he
called the primates memoir where he
called the primates memoir where he details daily life in the field in Kenya
details daily life in the field in Kenya
details daily life in the field in Kenya studying baboons and all the colorful
studying baboons and all the colorful
studying baboons and all the colorful field adventures that go along with it
field adventures that go along with it
field adventures that go along with it but it really wasn’t much of a stretch
but it really wasn’t much of a stretch
but it really wasn’t much of a stretch from know who I am I really love animals
from know who I am I really love animals
from know who I am I really love animals and I’ve always loved animals as a kid
and I’ve always loved animals as a kid
and I’ve always loved animals as a kid visiting my grandparents in southern
visiting my grandparents in southern
visiting my grandparents in southern India I would go out on the streets
India I would go out on the streets
India I would go out on the streets kidnap baby cows like you see here
kidnap baby cows like you see here
kidnap baby cows like you see here take them back to the house thinking
take them back to the house thinking
take them back to the house thinking they were common property and on that
they were common property and on that
they were common property and on that very same trip I actually had my first
very same trip I actually had my first
very same trip I actually had my first experience with a monkey it was at the
experience with a monkey it was at the
experience with a monkey it was at the temple that you see right here in
temple that you see right here in
temple that you see right here in southern India and to make a long story
southern India and to make a long story
southern India and to make a long story short I was closely observing a group of
short I was closely observing a group of
short I was closely observing a group of monkeys when one ran up to the one that
monkeys when one ran up to the one that
monkeys when one ran up to the one that was closest to me took its finger and
was closest to me took its finger and
was closest to me took its finger and stuck it directly into the butt of that
stuck it directly into the butt of that
stuck it directly into the butt of that monkey this monkey turned around
monkey this monkey turned around
monkey this monkey turned around horrified and the first thing it saw was
horrified and the first thing it saw was
horrified and the first thing it saw was me so I got bitten in the calf much too
me so I got bitten in the calf much too
me so I got bitten in the calf much too my parents were I was hoping the
my parents were I was hoping the
my parents were I was hoping the experience of glossa would be a little
experience of glossa would be a little
experience of glossa would be a little bit better as I prepared to leave for
bit better as I prepared to leave for
bit better as I prepared to leave for the field I sent Jeff a final email I
the field I sent Jeff a final email I
the field I sent Jeff a final email I said you know you’ve been in the field a
said you know you’ve been in the field a
said you know you’ve been in the field a couple months now you must be dying for
couple months now you must be dying for
couple months now you must be dying for something from the u.s. to you know
something from the u.s. to you know
something from the u.s. to you know remind you of home he replied I’d like a
remind you of home he replied I’d like a
remind you of home he replied I’d like a single pack of rolos candy this confused
single pack of rolos candy this confused
single pack of rolos candy this confused me I didn’t really take it seriously I
me I didn’t really take it seriously I
me I didn’t really take it seriously I said you know you want maybe five or ten
said you know you want maybe five or ten
said you know you want maybe five or ten he said nope just just one I was
he said nope just just one I was
he said nope just just one I was confused but I realized over time that
confused but I realized over time that
confused but I realized over time that that’s that’s his Jeff so we lived
that’s that’s his Jeff so we lived
that’s that’s his Jeff so we lived alongside these monkeys out of tents in
alongside these monkeys out of tents in
alongside these monkeys out of tents in the Ethiopian highlands we live next to
the Ethiopian highlands we live next to
the Ethiopian highlands we live next to farmers farmers who lived in farms that
farmers farmers who lived in farms that
farmers farmers who lived in farms that neighbors Aguas oh that look kind of
neighbors Aguas oh that look kind of
neighbors Aguas oh that look kind of like this there they grow wheat and
like this there they grow wheat and
like this there they grow wheat and potatoes and barley and on our off days
potatoes and barley and on our off days
potatoes and barley and on our off days we would be invited to these farms to
we would be invited to these farms to
we would be invited to these farms to enjoy their delicious Ethiopian coffee
enjoy their delicious Ethiopian coffee
enjoy their delicious Ethiopian coffee and injera here is Shoah and Ben toka D
and injera here is Shoah and Ben toka D
and injera here is Shoah and Ben toka D su guys are brothers they’ve worked for
su guys are brothers they’ve worked for
su guys are brothers they’ve worked for our project for about ten years now and
our project for about ten years now and
our project for about ten years now and they’ve become really close friends
they’ve become really close friends
they’ve become really close friends but at first they were pretty confused
but at first they were pretty confused
but at first they were pretty confused about what exactly we were doing because
about what exactly we were doing because
about what exactly we were doing because they see geladas every day they almost
they see geladas every day they almost
they see geladas every day they almost see them as pests sometimes they said
see them as pests sometimes they said
see them as pests sometimes they said you know why are you interested in
you know why are you interested in
you know why are you interested in working with these monkeys why do you
working with these monkeys why do you
working with these monkeys why do you follow them around all day and
follow them around all day and
follow them around all day and relentlessly pursue their feces the
relentlessly pursue their feces the
relentlessly pursue their feces the answer of course is that we are primates
answer of course is that we are primates
answer of course is that we are primates humans or primates and by studying our
humans or primates and by studying our
humans or primates and by studying our close relatives and their complex
close relatives and their complex
close relatives and their complex societies we can hopefully better
societies we can hopefully better
societies we can hopefully better understand who we are
understand who we are
understand who we are and we also have a duty to protect
and we also have a duty to protect
and we also have a duty to protect vulnerable species like geladas some
vulnerable species like geladas some
vulnerable species like geladas some geladas today are confined to habitats
geladas today are confined to habitats
geladas today are confined to habitats like this grassland that’s been turned
like this grassland that’s been turned
like this grassland that’s been turned into farmland so habitat loss is really
into farmland so habitat loss is really
into farmland so habitat loss is really affecting the species and you can see
affecting the species and you can see
affecting the species and you can see that contrast between the guava and this
that contrast between the guava and this
that contrast between the guava and this picture here but now let’s think about
picture here but now let’s think about
picture here but now let’s think about what it’s really like to be a gelato and
what it’s really like to be a gelato and
what it’s really like to be a gelato and a gelato researcher and that starts in
a gelato researcher and that starts in
a gelato researcher and that starts in the morning
so a day in the life of a gelada begins
so a day in the life of a gelada begins much as you might expect much as we
much as you might expect much as we
much as you might expect much as we might begin our own days they slowly
might begin our own days they slowly
might begin our own days they slowly wake up and roll out of bed except for
wake up and roll out of bed except for
wake up and roll out of bed except for geladas their bed is a cliff on the edge
geladas their bed is a cliff on the edge
geladas their bed is a cliff on the edge of the Great Rift Valley and they do
of the Great Rift Valley and they do
of the Great Rift Valley and they do this because the cliff represents safety
this because the cliff represents safety
this because the cliff represents safety for them that may seem a bit
for them that may seem a bit
for them that may seem a bit counterintuitive but it’s a place of
counterintuitive but it’s a place of
counterintuitive but it’s a place of refuge from predators where they can
refuge from predators where they can
refuge from predators where they can sleep
fortunately for geladas they have
fortunately for geladas they have incredible climbing abilities their
incredible climbing abilities their
incredible climbing abilities their short stumpy fingers let them get up
short stumpy fingers let them get up
short stumpy fingers let them get up these steep slopes without any trouble
these steep slopes without any trouble
these steep slopes without any trouble and they don’t seem to have any sort of
and they don’t seem to have any sort of
and they don’t seem to have any sort of fear of heights I’ve seen juvenile
fear of heights I’ve seen juvenile
fear of heights I’ve seen juvenile monkeys playing right on the edge of
monkeys playing right on the edge of
monkeys playing right on the edge of precipitous cliffs without seeming a
precipitous cliffs without seeming a
precipitous cliffs without seeming a care in the world and so that’s how they
care in the world and so that’s how they
care in the world and so that’s how they begin their day just with a big climb in
begin their day just with a big climb in
begin their day just with a big climb in contrast researchers and photographers
contrast researchers and photographers
contrast researchers and photographers we want to get to the cliffs before the
we want to get to the cliffs before the
we want to get to the cliffs before the monkeys make it to the top that’s when
monkeys make it to the top that’s when
monkeys make it to the top that’s when the action starts happening so we wake
the action starts happening so we wake
the action starts happening so we wake up a bit earlier in the pre-dawn chill
up a bit earlier in the pre-dawn chill
up a bit earlier in the pre-dawn chill of the afro Alpine Highlands this means
of the afro Alpine Highlands this means
of the afro Alpine Highlands this means waking up in the frost several days and
waking up in the frost several days and
waking up in the frost several days and you know grabbing a quick coffee in our
you know grabbing a quick coffee in our
you know grabbing a quick coffee in our kitchen tent and then hustling up this
kitchen tent and then hustling up this
kitchen tent and then hustling up this hill
hill
hill we start the day in winter clothing like
we start the day in winter clothing like
we start the day in winter clothing like big puffy jackets and walking up the
big puffy jackets and walking up the
big puffy jackets and walking up the field 11,000 feet you get tired and
field 11,000 feet you get tired and
field 11,000 feet you get tired and start huffing and puffing really hard
start huffing and puffing really hard
start huffing and puffing really hard and get covered in sweat a couple hours
and get covered in sweat a couple hours
and get covered in sweat a couple hours later we’ll be walking around in
later we’ll be walking around in
later we’ll be walking around in t-shirts fighting off dehydration it’s a
t-shirts fighting off dehydration it’s a
t-shirts fighting off dehydration it’s a unique aspect of the mountains of
unique aspect of the mountains of
unique aspect of the mountains of Ethiopia and any mountains in an
Ethiopia and any mountains in an
Ethiopia and any mountains in an equatorial place where you get summer
equatorial place where you get summer
equatorial place where you get summer every day and winter every night this
every day and winter every night this
every day and winter every night this poses all sorts of challenges to plants
poses all sorts of challenges to plants
poses all sorts of challenges to plants and animals that you know live in these
and animals that you know live in these
and animals that you know live in these areas as well something from the
areas as well something from the
areas as well something from the lowlands wouldn’t survive up here so
lowlands wouldn’t survive up here so
lowlands wouldn’t survive up here so we’re surrounded by specialists and
we’re surrounded by specialists and
we’re surrounded by specialists and among them geladas stand out as one of
among them geladas stand out as one of
among them geladas stand out as one of the most charismatic so they climb to
the most charismatic so they climb to
the most charismatic so they climb to the top of these cliffs and they bask on
the top of these cliffs and they bask on
the top of these cliffs and they bask on the edges of the rim of the Rift Valley
the edges of the rim of the Rift Valley
the edges of the rim of the Rift Valley for a while
for a while
for a while adult males come up first they’re a bit
adult males come up first they’re a bit
adult males come up first they’re a bit bigger than the females and they have
bigger than the females and they have
bigger than the females and they have longer fur coats so they can handle the
longer fur coats so they can handle the
longer fur coats so they can handle the the cool Alpine air they’ll just sit
the cool Alpine air they’ll just sit
the cool Alpine air they’ll just sit there kind of stretch maybe yawn as the
there kind of stretch maybe yawn as the
there kind of stretch maybe yawn as the Sun comes up and then they’re followed
Sun comes up and then they’re followed
Sun comes up and then they’re followed by the females and the juveniles they’ll
by the females and the juveniles they’ll
by the females and the juveniles they’ll huddle early in the morning when it’s
huddle early in the morning when it’s
huddle early in the morning when it’s cold to preserve one particular looking
cold to preserve one particular looking
cold to preserve one particular looking out for their little ones
out for their little ones
out for their little ones but pretty soon the whole herd is right
but pretty soon the whole herd is right
but pretty soon the whole herd is right on the edge and their morning routine
on the edge and their morning routine
on the edge and their morning routine begins so this involves you know running
begins so this involves you know running
begins so this involves you know running their fingers through their hair sisters
their fingers through their hair sisters
their fingers through their hair sisters cleaning other sisters looking for
cleaning other sisters looking for
cleaning other sisters looking for little parasites that they’ll pop off
little parasites that they’ll pop off
little parasites that they’ll pop off and then pop into their mouths and you
and then pop into their mouths and you
and then pop into their mouths and you know they’re not just obsessed with
know they’re not just obsessed with
know they’re not just obsessed with being clean this is a really important
being clean this is a really important
being clean this is a really important part of their day to build social
part of their day to build social
part of their day to build social capital with one another it allows them
capital with one another it allows them
capital with one another it allows them to build coalitions that later when
to build coalitions that later when
to build coalitions that later when monkey politics get a little bit complex
monkey politics get a little bit complex
monkey politics get a little bit complex come in very handy juvenile monkeys
come in very handy juvenile monkeys
come in very handy juvenile monkeys often imitate the older ones but get
often imitate the older ones but get
often imitate the older ones but get some of the details a little bit wrong
some of the details a little bit wrong
some of the details a little bit wrong I’m not sure exactly what this little
I’m not sure exactly what this little
I’m not sure exactly what this little guy was looking for in there but I hope
guy was looking for in there but I hope
guy was looking for in there but I hope you found it or maybe I hope we didn’t
you found it or maybe I hope we didn’t
you found it or maybe I hope we didn’t find it but they lose their attention
find it but they lose their attention
find it but they lose their attention pretty quickly they’ll do a little bit
pretty quickly they’ll do a little bit
pretty quickly they’ll do a little bit of grooming and then they go off by
of grooming and then they go off by
of grooming and then they go off by themselves to play so this may look like
themselves to play so this may look like
themselves to play so this may look like they’re fighting and it’s a form of mock
they’re fighting and it’s a form of mock
they’re fighting and it’s a form of mock fighting they’ll bite each other and
fighting they’ll bite each other and
fighting they’ll bite each other and tussle around in the dirt but again it’s
tussle around in the dirt but again it’s
tussle around in the dirt but again it’s them learning about how to act when
them learning about how to act when
them learning about how to act when they’re older any mistakes they make now
they’re older any mistakes they make now
they’re older any mistakes they make now don’t really have that big of a
don’t really have that big of a
don’t really have that big of a consequence if you make the wrong move
consequence if you make the wrong move
consequence if you make the wrong move when you’re in adults however things can
when you’re in adults however things can
when you’re in adults however things can be a bit more dire so we focused on the
be a bit more dire so we focused on the
be a bit more dire so we focused on the visuals for the moment but geladas have
visuals for the moment but geladas have
visuals for the moment but geladas have their morning routines in the auditory
their morning routines in the auditory
their morning routines in the auditory environment as well so even on days when
environment as well so even on days when
environment as well so even on days when you’re totally socked in by fog trying
you’re totally socked in by fog trying
you’re totally socked in by fog trying to figure out where the hurt is you can
to figure out where the hurt is you can
to figure out where the hurt is you can just follow your ears hearing them
just follow your ears hearing them
just follow your ears hearing them interacting with each other or you know
interacting with each other or you know
interacting with each other or you know being conciliatory or sometimes a little
being conciliatory or sometimes a little
being conciliatory or sometimes a little bit aggressive
so if these sounds seem a bit familiar
so if these sounds seem a bit familiar to you you’re actually not alone almost
to you you’re actually not alone almost
to you you’re actually not alone almost 2000 years ago there was this
2000 years ago there was this
2000 years ago there was this philosopher named Phyllis Sturgis
philosopher named Phyllis Sturgis
philosopher named Phyllis Sturgis who wrote about the Sphinx monkey and he
who wrote about the Sphinx monkey and he
who wrote about the Sphinx monkey and he described its voice now we have a
described its voice now we have a
described its voice now we have a surrogate for Phyllis aureus here today
even the voice is similar to the human
even the voice is similar to the human except that it is not articulate but it
except that it is not articulate but it
except that it is not articulate but it is like meaningless mutterings uttered
is like meaningless mutterings uttered
is like meaningless mutterings uttered rapidly in rage or fear now Phil Sergius
rapidly in rage or fear now Phil Sergius
rapidly in rage or fear now Phil Sergius also went on to describe the physical
also went on to describe the physical
also went on to describe the physical appearance of the Sphinx monkey which we
appearance of the Sphinx monkey which we
appearance of the Sphinx monkey which we again have filled surrogate for the body
again have filled surrogate for the body
again have filled surrogate for the body is hairy as in other monkeys but the
is hairy as in other monkeys but the
is hairy as in other monkeys but the chest up to the neck is bare it has
chest up to the neck is bare it has
chest up to the neck is bare it has breasts like a woman and low reddish
breasts like a woman and low reddish
breasts like a woman and low reddish protrusions resembling millet seeds
protrusions resembling millet seeds
protrusions resembling millet seeds which surround the naked parts of the
which surround the naked parts of the
which surround the naked parts of the body very prettily fitting in with the
body very prettily fitting in with the
body very prettily fitting in with the human-like flesh color in the middle the
human-like flesh color in the middle the
human-like flesh color in the middle the face is somewhat round rather like a
face is somewhat round rather like a
face is somewhat round rather like a woman’s so as you can probably guess the
woman’s so as you can probably guess the
woman’s so as you can probably guess the Sphinx monkey is a gelato and even today
Sphinx monkey is a gelato and even today
Sphinx monkey is a gelato and even today geladas continue to fascinate humans
geladas continue to fascinate humans
geladas continue to fascinate humans they remain one of the most charismatic
they remain one of the most charismatic
they remain one of the most charismatic and enigmatic primates maybe because of
and enigmatic primates maybe because of
and enigmatic primates maybe because of the strange way they look and act or
the strange way they look and act or
the strange way they look and act or those eerie similarities with humans or
those eerie similarities with humans or
those eerie similarities with humans or their deep isolation in the ethiopian
their deep isolation in the ethiopian
their deep isolation in the ethiopian highlands in 1938 National Geographic
highlands in 1938 National Geographic
highlands in 1938 National Geographic actually had an article about geladas
actually had an article about geladas
actually had an article about geladas the article called attention to that red
the article called attention to that red
the article called attention to that red patch you see there on the right in the
patch you see there on the right in the
patch you see there on the right in the hourglass shape this is what they
hourglass shape this is what they
hourglass shape this is what they this monkey the name the bleeding-heart
this monkey the name the bleeding-heart
this monkey the name the bleeding-heart baboon but the thing is that bleeding
baboon but the thing is that bleeding
baboon but the thing is that bleeding heart isn’t actually bleeding and
heart isn’t actually bleeding and
heart isn’t actually bleeding and geladas aren’t actually baboons instead
geladas aren’t actually baboons instead
geladas aren’t actually baboons instead they’re sit they sit poised on their own
they’re sit they sit poised on their own
they’re sit they sit poised on their own isolated side branch of the primate
isolated side branch of the primate
isolated side branch of the primate family tree and their own genus called
family tree and their own genus called
family tree and their own genus called therapy focus the genus of grass-eating
therapy focus the genus of grass-eating
therapy focus the genus of grass-eating monkeys if you were to go back into the
monkeys if you were to go back into the
monkeys if you were to go back into the African savanna about a half million
African savanna about a half million
African savanna about a half million years ago you would see basically
years ago you would see basically
years ago you would see basically geladas the size of gorillas walking
geladas the size of gorillas walking
geladas the size of gorillas walking around next to warthogs and zebras and
around next to warthogs and zebras and
around next to warthogs and zebras and such but today only the gelato remains
such but today only the gelato remains
such but today only the gelato remains and every day at the glossa these
and every day at the glossa these
and every day at the glossa these qualities that make them unique compared
qualities that make them unique compared
qualities that make them unique compared to other primates are on full display
to other primates are on full display
to other primates are on full display so once grooming ceases in the morning
so once grooming ceases in the morning
so once grooming ceases in the morning the day is warming up they make their
the day is warming up they make their
the day is warming up they make their way to the high plateau where they start
way to the high plateau where they start
way to the high plateau where they start feeding
feeding
feeding geladas form the largest groups you see
geladas form the largest groups you see
geladas form the largest groups you see in any primate up to fifteen hundred
in any primate up to fifteen hundred
in any primate up to fifteen hundred individuals densely packed together the
individuals densely packed together the
individuals densely packed together the reason that they can do this is that
reason that they can do this is that
reason that they can do this is that they specialize on grass they’re the
they specialize on grass they’re the
they specialize on grass they’re the only grass eating primate because grass
only grass eating primate because grass
only grass eating primate because grass is everywhere it’s no problem to sit
is everywhere it’s no problem to sit
is everywhere it’s no problem to sit right next to your neighbor when geladas
right next to your neighbor when geladas
right next to your neighbor when geladas eat grass they pluck blade by blade
eat grass they pluck blade by blade
eat grass they pluck blade by blade this might seem inefficient but they do
this might seem inefficient but they do
this might seem inefficient but they do it with lightning speed and they have
it with lightning speed and they have
it with lightning speed and they have really dexterous hands now geladas don’t
really dexterous hands now geladas don’t
really dexterous hands now geladas don’t have any special digestive anatomy the
have any special digestive anatomy the
have any special digestive anatomy the way that say a cow does it allows them
way that say a cow does it allows them
way that say a cow does it allows them to digest this energy poor resource
to digest this energy poor resource
to digest this energy poor resource instead for them the secret is all in
instead for them the secret is all in
instead for them the secret is all in the teeth now if your finger is clean
the teeth now if your finger is clean
the teeth now if your finger is clean you might wish to reach to the back of
you might wish to reach to the back of
you might wish to reach to the back of your mouth and rub your finger over one
your mouth and rub your finger over one
your mouth and rub your finger over one of your molars you’ll notice that it’s
of your molars you’ll notice that it’s
of your molars you’ll notice that it’s quite flat okay geladas on the other
quite flat okay geladas on the other
quite flat okay geladas on the other hand had these huge rugged molars with a
hand had these huge rugged molars with a
hand had these huge rugged molars with a lot of topography that act like scissors
lot of topography that act like scissors
lot of topography that act like scissors to cut through this really tough
to cut through this really tough
to cut through this really tough material our research at Wassa has shown
material our research at Wassa has shown
material our research at Wassa has shown that of any primate geladas have the
that of any primate geladas have the
that of any primate geladas have the most efficient chewing mechanism and
most efficient chewing mechanism and
most efficient chewing mechanism and that’s how they survive on this really
that’s how they survive on this really
that’s how they survive on this really energy poor resource but iguazu with
energy poor resource but iguazu with
energy poor resource but iguazu with this ecologically intact habitat geladas
this ecologically intact habitat geladas
this ecologically intact habitat geladas eat more than grass
eat more than grass
eat more than grass they snails and lizards roots and tubers
they snails and lizards roots and tubers
they snails and lizards roots and tubers and the occasional pollen from the
and the occasional pollen from the
and the occasional pollen from the red-hot poker flower so let’s make our
red-hot poker flower so let’s make our
red-hot poker flower so let’s make our way from the herd to the individuals as
way from the herd to the individuals as
way from the herd to the individuals as they move across the screen they
they move across the screen they
they move across the screen they probably look like an amorphous mass but
probably look like an amorphous mass but
probably look like an amorphous mass but in fact there’s some important
in fact there’s some important
in fact there’s some important substructuring to gelatos the basic
substructuring to gelatos the basic
substructuring to gelatos the basic social unit of geladas is the one male
social unit of geladas is the one male
social unit of geladas is the one male unit this consists of one male like the
unit this consists of one male like the
unit this consists of one male like the guys you see there in the back and
guys you see there in the back and
guys you see there in the back and between two and ten females
between two and ten females
between two and ten females this is his harem and this male has sole
this is his harem and this male has sole
this is his harem and this male has sole mating access to all of these females if
mating access to all of these females if
mating access to all of these females if females are closely related to each
females are closely related to each
females are closely related to each other sisters mothers nieces and aunts
other sisters mothers nieces and aunts
other sisters mothers nieces and aunts and like any family they they fight a
and like any family they they fight a
and like any family they they fight a lot and then they make up we can also
lot and then they make up we can also
lot and then they make up we can also now return to this picture you probably
now return to this picture you probably
now return to this picture you probably surmise that those beads on the chest
surmise that those beads on the chest
surmise that those beads on the chest aren’t actually millet seeds but they’re
aren’t actually millet seeds but they’re
aren’t actually millet seeds but they’re just beads these are actually a complex
just beads these are actually a complex
just beads these are actually a complex signal that the geladas are sending to
signal that the geladas are sending to
signal that the geladas are sending to the males indicating they’re ready to
the males indicating they’re ready to
the males indicating they’re ready to mate the size and color of these beads
mate the size and color of these beads
mate the size and color of these beads tracks the menstrual cycle so they
tracks the menstrual cycle so they
tracks the menstrual cycle so they become more red and bigger until the day
become more red and bigger until the day
become more red and bigger until the day of ovulation and then they get smaller
of ovulation and then they get smaller
of ovulation and then they get smaller and paler like you see here in most
and paler like you see here in most
and paler like you see here in most baboons this kind of sexual signal
baboons this kind of sexual signal
baboons this kind of sexual signal actually occurs on the buttocks but
actually occurs on the buttocks but
actually occurs on the buttocks but because a lot of sit on their butts all
because a lot of sit on their butts all
because a lot of sit on their butts all day feeding it’s moved to a more visible
day feeding it’s moved to a more visible
day feeding it’s moved to a more visible place
”
Be First to Comment