November 19, 2014

When the marmoset is happy, we're all happy.



("Ninita, our orphaned baby pygmy marmoset, gets a much loved toothbrush massage from her keeper. Ninita was born deaf, and abandoned by her parents. [Rare Species Conservatory Foundation] staff hand-reared her, and she is now doing well in an enclosure of her own with a handsome boyfriend.")

11 comments:

jimspice said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oiLfTnrC40

m stone said...

The thing about animals, cuteness aside, is that they impart such happiness and comfort without doing anything.

Laslo Spatula said...

"they impart such happiness and comfort without doing anything"

I would say they are doing something, but making it seem effortless.

CatherineM said...

Very funny Jim.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

And remember, never, ever feed them after midnight.

Robert J. said...

> "with a handsome boyfriend"

Disgustingly heteronormative.

Writ Small said...

Why do people insist on anthropomorphising animals? Because the animal appears to be relaxing and enjoying the stroking, we assume it is so. However, if you were completely reliant upon the "stroker" for your food and security, how might you behave? Perhaps the marmoset is silently suffering waiting for his "abuser" to finish up. Perhaps he will be unable to bond properly with other marmosets and will be forever haunted by "relaxing" piano music. Happy, indeed.

m stone said...

You can see life through the eyes of a marmoset...or else you can enjoy life through the eyes of a human stroking a marmoset.

The Godfather said...

Does her "handsome boy friend" know that "only yes means yes, every step of the way"?

Achilles said...

I think they are bullying the marmoset. It is just too scared to fight back or say anything. It has been well groomed by its abusers.

Quaestor said...

Why do people insist on anthropomorphising animals?

Perhaps it is because behaviorism has been less than completely successful approach to animal psychology, particularly among our primate cousins.

Like other monkeys marmosets are social animals that use ritual grooming to cement social bonds and mitigate social tensions.