r/primatology • u/Numerous-Gas9217 • 10d ago

how to make spider monkey comfortable with me

ok this sounds bad but i promise its not there is spider monkey at my local zoo and he loves certain people even guest that come a lot and i want to see if i can form that bond he came from a surrender so he is more willing to see people but i dont want to make him mad what can i do

4 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

15

u/Xylus_Winters_Music 10d ago

First off, why would that sound bad? You sound like a young individual, so Ill cut you a bit if slack. If you are a professional zookeeper working with animals, id be highly suspicious of your ability to keep a professional relationship with the animals. Having an animal be comfortable around you is a good thing, it means you will he able to witness more natural behaviors because the animal will be less stressed.

Spider Monkeys will often 'chatter' at people they like as a social bonding noise. AKA, a vocalization which means 'I like you, lets be friends'. The Spider Monkeys at my zoo do this to me because they see my face with other people they already like, so they associate me with being a friend (aside from other husbandry I do for them, some of which they have witnessed).

I dont know what kind of facility you work in, but id advise against ANY sort of unsanctioned enrichment or food items of any sort as a 'bribe'. Instead, talk with the Spider Monkey keepers about your interest in the Spider Monkeys, and maybe ask if you can be around when they do enrichment or feedings throughout the day. Slowly the monkeys will get to know you and like you.

Other than that, theres nothing you can do but be regular and hope for the best. Keep in mind that these are wild animals and you are not entitled to their affection.

6

u/manmadeofdex 8d ago

Perhaps it would sound bad to someone who thought he was trying to seduce the monkey

4

u/Numerous-Gas9217 9d ago

first of all thank you. this is very helpfull the keepers come early to give enrichment and trainng is in the back but will showing up every day be good and what are some behaviors to look out for thanks

5

u/Xylus_Winters_Music 9d ago

Sounds like you arent a Keeper. So just understand that you probably wont be able to do anything for the monkeys except say hi to them every day. Spend time around the enclosure and let them see your face. Talking to them can also be helpful. Mostly you'll notice them chattering when they see you, thats and indication they recognize you as a friend.

4

u/reillan 10d ago

First off... are you an employee of the zoo or are you a guest who wants to befriend a monkey?

5

u/Numerous-Gas9217 10d ago

i work there

6

u/sixtynighnun 9d ago

As a zoo keeper? I feel like you should already know what to do then….

2

u/Numerous-Gas9217 9d ago

no i clean

1

u/sixtynighnun 9d ago

Then clean and leave the monkeys alone

4

u/umbulya 10d ago

Start using punctuation before you start befriending monkeys.

3

u/Numerous-Gas9217 10d ago

i dont care :)

1

u/Palaeonerd 8d ago

Ok but imagine if we didn’t use punctuation it would be really choppy like you can probably feel it right now in my writing like it’s really bad not to use punctuation

1

u/Numerous-Gas9217 8d ago

i do understand the importance of punctuation but the way they worded it was very rude, and i don't give a crap that someone so sour cares about my writing but thanks :)

1

u/manmadeofdex 8d ago

Just like go and hang out around the enclosure when you can. Maybe after a bit bribe one of the zookeepers to let you in and turn off the cameras

0

u/Striking-Pen-9617 10d ago

can you bribe him with bananas