Macaque monkeys
The use of tools among animals is well documented, but recently researchers discovered some monkeys in Indonesia that seemed to use stones in a very specific way: as sex toys.
While studying a population of 173 long-tailed macaques, researchers observed the macaques pounding and rubbing stones on their genitals and groin, according to a paper published this month in the journal Ethology. The behavior led the researchers to hypothesize that the stone is used as a “sex toy”.
The researchers arrived at the theory in several ways. They saw that young men were more likely than older men to engage in the behavior, and that it was often followed by sexual physiological responses, such as an erection. They also found that actions with the stone were associated with other sexual behaviors.
More in-
Overall, the researchers said the data partially supports the theory that the behavior was “sexually motivated.” That is, the monkeys appeared to be performing “a form of self-directed masturbation with the help of tools,” Kamila Sani, a doctoral student at the University of Lethbridge in Canada and author of the study, told the New York Times.
The paper suggested that monkeys over time may continue to use tools for behaviors such as masturbation, which are not directly related to survival, but have “fun” or “self-rewarding” aspects, such as “basic play and sexual activities.”
Many animals are known to use tools. Otters use stones to crack shells for food, such as oysters and mussels. Dolphins use sponges to kick up sand and uncover prey on the seabed. Monkeys have been videotaped using stones to crack nuts and shellfish.
Animals have already been recorded masturbating with objects, although this is not common. Most tool use serves a clear survival purpose, such as eating. This self-sexual behavior “probably isn’t really adaptive or useful,” Sani told The Times about masturbation with an object.
The authors noted that the observed macaques lived in an area where they regularly have access to human food, so they may spend less time foraging than other populations.
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