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.
Vocabulary List:
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.
