Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Health - LEVEL1

Is Urination Contagious Among Our Closest Relatives?

By aimee yang
Is Urination Contagious Among Our Closest Relatives?

Peeing can be a social activity. Just like smiling or yawning, it may be contagious among primates, including chimpanzees.

A study of 20 captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) found that when one chimp pees, others often do the same. This is especially true if the chimp that pees is a group leader.

This research is the first to look at how social interaction relates to peeing. The study suggests that when chimps pee together, it helps them stay connected with each other.

People also often go to the bathroom in groups. We think about when it is okay to pee in public.

According to primatologist Ena Onishi, “There is a saying that if you don’t pee with others, you might be a thief or a spy.”

At the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan, researchers watched the chimps for many hours to find out why they pee at the same time.

They learned that chimps that were closer to each other were more likely to pee together. This shows that peeing can be a social behavior.

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

Contagious/kənˈteɪ.dʒəs/adjective
Capable of being transmitted from one individual to another often used in relation to behavior or emotions.

Research/ˈriː.sɜːrtʃ/noun
A detailed and systematic investigation into a specific subject.

Interaction/ˌɪn.təˈræk.ʃən/noun
The act of communicating or engaging with others.

Connected/kəˈnɛk.tɪd/adjective
Being linked or related to one another especially in a social context.

Behavior/bɪˈheɪ.vjər/noun
The way in which one acts or conducts oneself especially towards others.

Sanctuary/ˈsæŋk.tʃu.er.i/noun
A place of refuge or safety often used to protect wildlife.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

What was the main finding of the study on chimpanzees mentioned in the text?
Chimpanzees pee more when they are alone.
Peeing is not a social behavior among primates.
Chimpanzees tend to pee together, especially if the chimp that pees is a group leader.
Chimpanzees only pee when they are scared.
According to the text, who is Ena Onishi?
A famous scientist studying chimpanzees.
A primatologist mentioned in the text.
The leader of a group of chimpanzees.
A fictional character
What did researchers observe at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan regarding the peeing behavior of chimps?
Chimps never peed at the same time.
Closer chimps were less likely to pee together.
Chimps with higher social status separated from others when peeing.
Chimps that were closer to each other were more likely to pee together.
What does the text suggest about peeing behavior in humans?
Humans never pee in groups.
Peeing in public is always inappropriate.
People tend to go to the bathroom in groups.
Peeing has no social significance.
What was the purpose of the research at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan?
To teach chimps how to pee together.
To observe why chimps pee at different times.
To investigate why chimps pee at the same time.
To study the sleeping habits of chimps.
What is the social significance of peeing together according to the study mentioned in the text?
It is a sign of aggression.
It helps chimps establish dominance.
It helps chimps stay connected with each other.
It indicates fear.
Peeing can be a social activity among primates, including chimpanzees.
The study of captive chimpanzees mentioned in the text was not the first of its kind.
Ena Onishi is a fictional character mentioned in the text.
According to the study, chimps that pee together are more likely to have conflicts.
Researchers at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan observed that peeing behavior was not influenced by social proximity among chimps.
Peers of a group leader chimp are less likely to pee when the leader does so.
The of 20 captive chimpanzees found that when one chimp pees, others often do the same.
According to primatologist Ena Onishi, there is a saying that if you don’t pee with others, you might be a or a spy.
Researchers watched the chimps at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan for many hours to find out why they pee at the same .
Chimps that were closer to each other were more likely to pee .
The study mentioned in the text is the first to look at how social interaction relates to .
Peeing together helps chimps stay connected with each according to the study.
This question is required
aimee yang
aimee yanghttps://esl-news.com

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
Contagious/kənˈteɪ.dʒəs/adjective
Capable of being transmitted from one individual to another often used in relation to behavior or emotions.
Research/ˈriː.sɜːrtʃ/noun
A detailed and systematic investigation into a specific subject.
Interaction/ˌɪn.təˈræk.ʃən/noun
The act of communicating or engaging with others.
Connected/kəˈnɛk.tɪd/adjective
Being linked or related to one another especially in a social context.
Behavior/bɪˈheɪ.vjər/noun
The way in which one acts or conducts oneself especially towards others.
Sanctuary/ˈsæŋk.tʃu.er.i/noun
A place of refuge or safety often used to protect wildlife.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

What was the main finding of the study on chimpanzees mentioned in the text?
Chimpanzees pee more when they are alone.
Peeing is not a social behavior among primates.
Chimpanzees tend to pee together, especially if the chimp that pees is a group leader.
Chimpanzees only pee when they are scared.
According to the text, who is Ena Onishi?
A famous scientist studying chimpanzees.
A primatologist mentioned in the text.
The leader of a group of chimpanzees.
A fictional character
What did researchers observe at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan regarding the peeing behavior of chimps?
Chimps never peed at the same time.
Closer chimps were less likely to pee together.
Chimps with higher social status separated from others when peeing.
Chimps that were closer to each other were more likely to pee together.
What does the text suggest about peeing behavior in humans?
Humans never pee in groups.
Peeing in public is always inappropriate.
People tend to go to the bathroom in groups.
Peeing has no social significance.
What was the purpose of the research at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan?
To teach chimps how to pee together.
To observe why chimps pee at different times.
To investigate why chimps pee at the same time.
To study the sleeping habits of chimps.
What is the social significance of peeing together according to the study mentioned in the text?
It is a sign of aggression.
It helps chimps establish dominance.
It helps chimps stay connected with each other.
It indicates fear.
Peeing can be a social activity among primates, including chimpanzees.
The study of captive chimpanzees mentioned in the text was not the first of its kind.
Ena Onishi is a fictional character mentioned in the text.
According to the study, chimps that pee together are more likely to have conflicts.
Researchers at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan observed that peeing behavior was not influenced by social proximity among chimps.
Peers of a group leader chimp are less likely to pee when the leader does so.
The of 20 captive chimpanzees found that when one chimp pees, others often do the same.
According to primatologist Ena Onishi, there is a saying that if you don’t pee with others, you might be a or a spy.
Researchers watched the chimps at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan for many hours to find out why they pee at the same .
Chimps that were closer to each other were more likely to pee .
The study mentioned in the text is the first to look at how social interaction relates to .
Peeing together helps chimps stay connected with each according to the study.
This question is required

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