It is very easy to forget that we as people are animals–primates very closely related to the gorillas, orangutans, bonobos, and chimpanzees. But this past week, the Girls In Science met with keeper Yvette Kemp to learn about visual communication from the primates in Monkey Trails, and a little about themselves in the process!

After first discussing many different kinds of communication (such as tactile, olfactory, and auditory), Yvette introduced us to several of the monkeys that reside in Monkey Trails, and we were able to compare the ways monkeys communicate with the ways teenage girls and boys communicate!

The Angolan colobus monkeys and black mangabeys put on a terrific show for us. The colobus monkeys showed us who controlled the hierarchy in the enclosure and how simple physical presence can often be enough to dictate who is in charge and who gets to sit in the best spot. Most primates prefer to stare, show off their teeth, or try to appear larger in order to get what they want. Fights can result in life-threatening injuries, and often occur only as a last resort.

One of the golden-bellied mangabeys, Raffi, holds a special place in his heart for Yvette, and will flirt mercilessly with her when she walks by. We watched him tip his head, turn his back, and lip-smack, all methods of monkey flirting that the girls thought was quite cute, as well.

The mandrills and lesser spot-nosed guenons share an enclosure. P.J., the male mandrill (pictured here with Yvette), is a fine example of colorful markings designed to attract potential mates. He is also nearly twice the size of Dora and Angie, the female mandrills that live with him, and they think he is absolutely wonderful! The girls thought P.J.’s coloring was a little over the top, but a discussion of middle school boys’ use of hair gel and saggy pants followed. The girls decided P.J. wasn’t too far off the mark, after all!

Yvette did a wonderful job introducing the girls to the concept of visual communication, and helped them to see that they engage in it every day themselves. From hairdos to clothing choices to facial expressions, there is more to communicating than just using a cell phone, and the girls realized they are more adept at it than they thought!

Special thanks to Yvette for her time and efforts! She has presented for GIS on several occasions and always does a superb job! Kudos!

Cindy Spiva-Evans is an educator at the San Diego Zoo.

Girls In Science is a program for Roosevelt Middle School girls which creates science-based experiences with professional women at the San Diego Zoo. The program is funded through the generosity of the Wells Fargo Foundation.

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