Page 32 - Gateways_Spring_2025_flip

Grooming continued

Social grooming establishes or maintains a bond between Above, left: A spider monkey enjoys a head grooming
individuals in a breeding pair. Macaws and penguins are among by a member of its group.
species in which breeding partners form long-lasting pair bonds, Above, right: Humboldt penguin grooms itself.
said Hickman. Pairs of colorful macaws often perch side-by-side,
with one bird’s beak buried in the feathers of the other.
“They preen one another. It strengthens bonds and is sometimes
part of their courtship behavior.”
Highly social animals—including African painted dogs, Social grooming is also a key activity in the social lives
dwarf mongoose, meerkats, and Mexican wolves—are noted of primates, said Kimberly Skelton, director of Animal Care
for their social grooming behavior, said Brianna Pohl, lead and Conservation, Primates. “Primates can often be seen picking
animal care specialist, Carnivores/Small Mammals. “African through each other’s fur with their hands and removing dirt
painted dogs have a very intricate social structure,” she said. or debris. At times, they will use their teeth to pull out any
They live in a pack with an alpha male and an alpha female stubborn particles,” she said. “You’ll see them taking turns
and only the alpha female has pups. to groom one another.”
“During their morning greeting ‘ceremony’ they’ll make “Grooming is a way for individuals to express trust, build
very high-pitched noises and lick each other’s face or other alliances, reduce tension, and reinforce social hierarchies,”
parts of the body as a means of reestablishing their bonding said Skelton. “It encourages group cohesion while reducing
with each other,” she said. “Social grooming helps African aggression within a group.” Social touch is also extremely
painted dogs establish matriarchy, or who is where on the important as it contributes to healthy emotional development
hierarchy, and is part of their bonding experience,” said Pohl. in young primates, she said.

GATEWAYS | WHY ANIMALS GROOM
32 G A T E W A YS | WHY ANIM ALS GROOM
32
32