By Josie August 25th, 2023
Monkey see monkey do – perhaps this monkey that plays basketball has watched a Michael Jordan game or two?
With the agility and precision of a professional basketball player, Candy played basketball using a watermelon.
This extraordinary feat was not just a random act of play but a testament to the intelligence and adaptability of primates.
It’s not just about throwing a ball (or a watermelon) into a hoop; it’s about understanding the dynamics, calculating the trajectory, and executing the action with precision.
Play, in the animal kingdom, is not just a leisure activity. It is a means of learning, adapting, and honing skills.
For primates, especially, play is a crucial aspect of their cognitive development.
It aids in building motor skills, understanding cause and effect, and even in social bonding.
Other than basketball skills, their dexterity is what enables them to imitate countless human activities (providing us with endless amounts of entertainment.)
This dexterity allows them to deftly navigate dense forest canopies, swiftly grasping branches to avoid predators.
This tactile prowess also plays a role in social bonding, as grooming strengthens troop unity.
Candy’s basketball skills illustrate monkeys’ capacity to learn, adapt, and even innovate.
This monkey’s basketball prowess with a watermelon transcends mere entertainment, shedding light on the profound cognitive abilities of primates.