|
There are numerous types of primates, with different ways of life and with a size ranging from a decimetre up to two meters. Still, they share a number of characteristics: they are all social animals living in hierarchical groups. During the first life years the young receive much care and attention from their mothers, sometimes helped by co-caretakers. In this period of time the young are still a law unto themselves: the adults make allowances for the monkey business they get into. When the young get bigger their leeway becomes less - around puberty they cannot count on the indulgence of their peer group any longer. This is understandable since in this life phase the animals will turn against their peers. As lowest in rank they will literally need to fight their way to a higher position.
 As a baby a primate will show an extreme affection towards its owner. Its natural need for protection forces it to attach itself to its human caretaker. But as it becomes more independent, it will explore the boundaries of what is allowed and what is not. To become highest in rank it will first attack the weakest family members, generally the children, and then the leading female of `its` group, the woman of the house. In the end it will take on the leader, the man of the house. Usually, this is the turning point in the human affection for the pet that was previously approached with endearment. It is about time that monkey realized who is boss, if it does not want to obey, we will put it in a cage. And that is all there is to it. Captivity and total solitude are the punishment for the animal, which committed no other crime then to follow its instinct.
|
