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Monkeys
107 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1936
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December 25, 2021
This book is fascinating look back in time to the late 1930s. It presents a short overview of scientific knowledge about monkeys and the apes, ie, gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and gibbons and siamangs (bonobos were not considered to be a separate species at that time; instead they were denominated pgymy chimpanzees, while gibbons and siamangs were included in the same family as the great apes). It includes some surprising observations about tool use by the great apes and the different races of chimpanzees (ie, West African versus East African species), which were not scientifically verified until the later part of the 20th century.
The book also presents some observations and tales collected by naturalists about primate behavior which were circulating at that time and unequivocally labels them as falsehoods based upon knowledge accrued from the behavior of captive primates and more recent scientific studies. Examples of folk tales about apes and monkeys are also included to show how they are perceived by different cultures and religions.
The book concludes with a chapter describing the character and behavior of some of the captive primates in the London Zoo. Many of the husbandry practices described in this book such as tea parties, taking animals on leashes for car trips, allowing visitors unprotected access to animals, and to feed them are no longer in use. It ends with a warning against keeping them as pets. It notes that while they may be cute as babies, they are fragile and difficult to keep in captivity, and very demanding pets that become hard to manage once they reach maturity.
The book is interesting, and surprisingly withstands the test of time. It is fun to read as a historical document, and also for the information conveyed on its pages.
The book also presents some observations and tales collected by naturalists about primate behavior which were circulating at that time and unequivocally labels them as falsehoods based upon knowledge accrued from the behavior of captive primates and more recent scientific studies. Examples of folk tales about apes and monkeys are also included to show how they are perceived by different cultures and religions.
The book concludes with a chapter describing the character and behavior of some of the captive primates in the London Zoo. Many of the husbandry practices described in this book such as tea parties, taking animals on leashes for car trips, allowing visitors unprotected access to animals, and to feed them are no longer in use. It ends with a warning against keeping them as pets. It notes that while they may be cute as babies, they are fragile and difficult to keep in captivity, and very demanding pets that become hard to manage once they reach maturity.
The book is interesting, and surprisingly withstands the test of time. It is fun to read as a historical document, and also for the information conveyed on its pages.
Displaying 1 of 1 review