Japanese photographer Atsuyuki Oshimaimmortalized a comic scene in which one can see macaque riding a sika deer, like a rider on his horse. This is not an exceptional scene, as this type of behavior has been described many times before. But this is one of the most original photographs taken at this moment.
Macaques are animals whose behavior is in many ways similar to humans. Not only because imitate riding a horse. And also for taking baths in supposed jacuzzi or performing sexual acts very similar to ours.
In this case, their behavior with sika deer has a symbiotic explanation. That is, both types benefit. On the one hand, deer they eat fruit that the monkeys are falling. Except, macaques take care of themThis benefits not only deer, but also primates that feed on the insects removed. And of course it will help you transportation from one point to another with minimal effort. Everything is a plus for both. Although it is true that sometimes macaques walk with much less innocent intentions and try to ride a deer in a different sense of the word. Much sexier than transport related. That’s not the case in this photo that Oshima submitted to the competition. Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Both win here. And perhaps the photographer will win too; Well, without a doubt, the picture deserves, at a minimum, to be among the first positions.
Good relationship between macaque and sika deer…usually
Sika deer is a typical species of the Far East, whose range extends from Siberia to VietnamPassing Japan, Taiwan and several islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Therefore, he got used to living next to Japanese macaques. This prompted them to create this beautiful symbiotic relationship in which the monkey grabs a branch, pushes off, and climbs onto the back of a deer. Once there, the relationship becomes exactly what we envisioned.
However, sometimes adolescent female macaques tend to make sexual movements of the pelvis while sitting on a deer. It is believed that they do this because they feel too vulnerable to have sexual intercourse with males of their own species who might harm them with their sudden mating movements.
Deer remain in place, so they let off steam and do not feel threatened.
Another option is that they do it simply because mature men will not accept them, so they need to explore their sexuality in a different way. Deer are so accustomed to carrying macaques on their backs that they are not surprised or uncomfortable when they do so for this purpose. They remain calm, and this way young females can gain practice in case an adult male accepts them.
Annual competition
This 59th Wildlife Photography Competition, organized by the Natural History Museum in London. This year, judges will have to evaluate a total of 49,957 photographs from 95 different countries. From these, 100 photographs will be selected, which will be exhibited in the museum from October 13. Will we see this friendly macaque at the exhibition?
Source: Hiper Textual
