LOTS more ‘Mr. Nice Guy,’ please!

Bonobo

We keep learning how close non-human animals and human animals truly are.  Now comes news about how humans – at least some of them – might learn a big lesson from the most successful animals:  be nice, sociable and cooperative, and share.  

Two scientists have asked just what Charles Darwin meant by “fittest” in “survival of the fittest.”  Did he refer to toughness and physical strength?  Or did he refer to friendliness, partnership and communication?  They concluded that the friendliest animals are the most likely ones to evolve and survive.

The dog is cited as an animal who adapted to fit in with humans, and who has survived and thrived. Another case: bonobos (“buh-NOW-bows”), who are apes often confused with chimpanzees, but way different from them. 

Chimps are aggressive and warlike, while bonobos, governed by females, share food with others and make love, not war.  The scientists found that “the friendliest male bonobo is more successful than the unfriendliest chimp,” and “The most successful bonobo males have more offspring than the most successful alpha male chimpanzees.”

Beagle puppy

Here’s their main point, and it clearly has practical application right here and now:  “Friendliness is the winning strategy. Social problems require social solutions. The secret to our species’ success is the same as it is with dogs and bonobos.

“We are the friendliest human species that ever evolved, which has allowed us to outcompete other human species that are now extinct. When that mechanism is turned off, we can become unbelievably cruel.  When it is turned on, it allows us to win.

“We win by cooperation and teamwork. Our uniquely human skills for cooperative communication can be used to solve the hardest social problems.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/friendliest-not-fittest-is-key-to-evolutionary-survival-scientists-argue-in-book/2020/07/17/6f70697e-c5fe-11ea-a99f-3bbdffb1af38_story.html?utm_campaign=wp_animalia&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_animalia  

Alike or not?

Blame it on the dog days of summer if you’d like, but here’s an animal observation that’s decidedly UN-scientific.  It’s based on years of watching and learning about the two animals involved. 

Iguana

St. Thomas, VI is my “soul home,” and that includes one of its signature inhabitants,  the iguana.  Decades of visits grew my fascination with iguanas, whom I’ve watched and studied all that time.  To me, they’re exotically beautiful.  

Here in New Jersey, I’ve long enjoyed watching squirrels, who I think are smart and fun – and who like the unsalted peanuts in shells I share with them.  Either I have them trained to come closer for treats, or they have me trained to provide snacks.

 Squirrel

Despite their being such markedly different species, these two animals have a lot in common besides my admiration.  Consider:  both creatures are low-slung, with long tail “rudders” that seem to balance their front ends.

There’s a definite resemblance in their stances and how both of them walk on all fours – squirrels are like furry iguanas!

OK, the heat has gone to my head and whimsy rules for now.  But it’s nice to know I have “related” animals I like so much in both real and soul homes.  

Sure picker-uppers

Whatever works to pick up pandemic-damaged spirits is welcome.  The latest suggestion I saw was to watch cute animal videos, something I’ve been doing for years, thanks to “The Dodo”  (thedodo.com).  

They’re not all “cute,” but most are happy stories that may also include useful info.  Here’s one recent example.   

https://thedodo.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/d/05F630B6183A154F2540EF23F30FEDED/B430F3161C52921ADCCB6820C4466A74

What are you doing to lift your spirits during these difficult days?  I hope you'll share what works for you.

 

                                                                                       Dodo pic

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