It seems like it's somewhat symbiotic in that the adolescent macaques derive sexual pleasure/"practice" from the interaction while the deer have parasites cleaned off them.
Also, as they mentioned, it will be interesting if this behavior persists and becomes integrated into their culture or will be forgotten.
On a side note, do the researchers seem to share an uncomfortable photo there, or is that just my misinterpretation?
For sure, it's possible. Like I said, I could be wrong. It just looks like the lean-in is one way. But yeah, it could also be exhaustion or other things.
1) Certainly possible that that's the only mutually beneficial component. We see that with marine animals quite often. The deer in the video totes doesn't give a fuck.
2) The photo also stuck me as a little weird. Could be because the man seems simultaneously more sweaty and more excited than the woman. That sort of pose is something I'd do with someone that expect to reciprocate by doing the same or leaning in. That said, it's also likely that the photographer wanted a photo and expects some sort of pose. Could have been more awkward to just there.
According to the caption, the photo is a selfie. Guy's just come running from the tripod (or rock or whatever). Doesn't make for great or natural poses.
Who doesn't enjoy a nice back scratch? Humans do, domestic animals do, bears do, this guy https://imgur.com/gallery/HllqVPF does. I imagine so do the deer.
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On a side note, do the researchers seem to share an uncomfortable photo there, or is that just my misinterpretation?
It seems like they're sweaty and exhausted, presumably from hard work in an unfamiliarly hot climate.
The other variant of it usually involves flaking skin on newly formed tans and sunburn so bad its started to go almost purple.
But the root cause is essentially the same.
Plus, they're researchers guys, what do you think scientists in the field actually look like :P
2) The photo also stuck me as a little weird. Could be because the man seems simultaneously more sweaty and more excited than the woman. That sort of pose is something I'd do with someone that expect to reciprocate by doing the same or leaning in. That said, it's also likely that the photographer wanted a photo and expects some sort of pose. Could have been more awkward to just there.