Do monkeys use sex toys? Evidence of stone tool-assisted masturbation in free-ranging long-tailed macaques
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Date
2022
Authors
Cenni, Camilla
Christie, Jessica B. A.
Van der Pant, Yanni
Gunst, Noëlle
Vasey, Paul L.
Wandia, Nengah
Leca, Jean-Baptiste
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Abstract
Recent reports on tool use in nonforaging contexts have led researchers to reconsider
the proximate drivers of instrumental object manipulation. In this study, we explore
the physiological and behavioral correlates of two stone-directed and seemingly playful
actions, the repetitive tapping and rubbing of stones onto the genital and inguinal
area, respectively, that may have been co-opted into self-directed tool-assisted
masturbation in long-tailed macaques (i.e., “Sex Toy” hypothesis). We predicted that
genital and inguinal stone-tapping and rubbing would be more closely temporally associated
with physiological responses (e.g., estrus in females, penile erection in males)
and behavior patterns (e.g., sexual mounts and other mating interactions) that are
sexually motivated than other stone-directed play. We also predicted that the stones
selected to perform genital and inguinal stone-tapping and rubbing actions would be
less variable in number, size, and texture than the stones typically used during other
stone-directed playful actions. Overall, our data partly supported the “Sex Toy” hypothesis
indicating that stone-directed tapping and rubbing onto the genital and inguinal
area are sexually motivated behaviors. Our research suggests that instrumental
behaviors of questionably adaptive value may be maintained over evolutionary time
through pleasurable/self-rewarding mechanisms, such as those underlying playful and
sexual activities.
Description
Accepted author manuscript
Keywords
Affordance learning , Nonhuman primates , Object play , Sexual behavior , Tool use
Citation
Cenni, C., Christie, J. B. A., Van der Pant, Y., Gunst, N., Vasey, P. L., Wandia, N., & Leca, J.-B. (2022). Do monkeys use sex toys? Evidence of stone tool-assisted masburbation in free-ranging long-tailed macaques. Ethology, 00, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.13324