1. Grooming: Grooming is a significant way for monkeys to express affection and strengthen their social bonds. They spend time picking through each other's fur, removing dirt, parasites, and loose hair. Grooming can be seen as a form of caring and maintaining close relationships within the group.
2. Touching and Holding: Monkeys often engage in physical contact to show affection. They may touch each other gently with their hands or arms, pat each other's shoulders or backs, or hold each other's hands while sitting close together. Holding infants or young monkeys is a common way for mothers and other group members to show affection.
3. Hugging and Embracing: Some monkeys, such as certain species of langurs, are known for their behavior of hugging and embracing. They may wrap their arms around each other, hold each other close, and engage in prolonged hugs as a form of comfort, reassurance, and affection.
4. Nestling and Cuddling: Some monkey species, like marmosets and tamarins, display affection through nestling and cuddling. They huddle together in close contact, often with infants in the center, providing warmth, comfort, and a sense of security.
5. Kissing and Licking: In certain monkey species, kissing and licking are observed as expressions of affection. They may lick each other's faces, necks, or shoulders, which can serve as a way of showing care and reinforcing social bonds.
6. Vocalizations: Monkeys use various vocalizations to communicate with each other, and some of these vocalizations can convey affection. They may produce soft, gentle sounds or specific calls to express attachment, reassurance, or contentment when interacting with individuals they are particularly fond of.
7. Playing and Tickling: Playful interactions can be a way for monkeys to show affection. They might engage in tickling, chasing, or gentle wrestling, which reinforces positive social relationships and strengthens bonds within the group.
8. Sharing Food: In some monkey species, sharing food is an important gesture of affection and social bonding. They may share preferred food items with each other, offering them as a sign of care and generosity.
It's important to note that the specific ways monkeys show affection can vary considerably across different species, and even within the same species, based on social structures and individual preferences.