Chimp & See Talk

Chimp "diddling"?

  • AnLand by AnLand moderator

    The female seems to grab the male's testicles after they both appear to be alarmed. I know that males would do this for appeasement, but females? And what might be the situation?

    It does not look like a sexual situation and the female is not swollen, so it is even more unlikely sexually motivated.

    Posted

  • maureenmccarthy by maureenmccarthy scientist, moderator

    Hi @AnLand, Can you for certain see her grab his testicles? Maybe I'm missing it, but to me it looks like she may just be touching his leg. And it looks more like an affiliative or reassuring gesture than anything else, though it's tough to say for sure without more contextual information.

    Posted

  • AnLand by AnLand moderator in response to maureenmccarthy's comment.

    I have the feeling, she is actually fumbling for it (looking with her hand, I am not sure about the English word). And yes, I also think, it's a re-assuring gesture. I just think, she is not just grabbing his leg.

    Posted