Today I watched the "Far Home" column of CCTV 10, which was a video introducing Sichuan Golden Monkey . I was deeply impressed by the witty introduction by the staff of the reserve.
Sichuan golden monkeys are divided into two categories: family type and single type (all male monkeys, also called bachelor type). As long as a family is formed, no matter old or young, no matter how many wives or children there are, they all belong to the family category; singles are all male monkeys, responsible for peripheral vigilance and protection of the family category. They are composed of old males who have lost their fertility and young males who have been kicked out of their families over the age of three.
Sichuan golden monkeys have no restrictions on monogamy. Male monkeys that are young, strong, handsome, gentle and considerate will have more wives. On the contrary, those with bad tempers will come to others later even if they have many wives. The number of members directly affects the family's position in the monkey group, and single monkeys will also wait for opportunities to rob the female monkey.
Once a female monkey in the family category gives birth to a baby monkey, the male monkey will be kicked out of the family and join the single category when he reaches adulthood; if it is a female monkey, when there is a female monkey in the family, the single category will be eligible for mating. The male monkey will challenge the male monkey in the family. At this time, female monkeys in the family category will usually choose young and strong single monkeys instead of their husbands. This seems like a typical "like the new and hate the old", but the main reason is to avoid inbreeding.
Survival of the fittest is a consistent practice for animals to preserve their group strength. Although it is cruel, it is the only way to cope with the rapid changes in nature and the threats to survival from other animals.
