Monkeynomics - monopolies, markets and exchange rates in wild monkeys

Not Exactly Rocket Science
By Ed Yong
Jun 30, 2009 4:30 PMNov 5, 2019 12:13 AM

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In a classic episode of the Simpsons, Homer's brain explains to him that "money can be exchanged for goods and services". That's obviously true for humans (even cartoon ones) but monkeys use an altogether different form of payment - grooming. It's as close to a currency as monkeys have and it can be redeemed against a wide range of goods and services including more grooming, a free pass from aggression, permission to handle babies, back-up in fights and even sex.

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