| Lolita's growth curve, and my learning curve, won't always be as rapid as the first four-and-a-half months have been. But there's still so much I don't know and haven't experienced. The other evening a guest asked if Lolita ever bites me. I automatically said "No," almost scoffing at the suggestion. And it's true. When we're snuggling, or I'm tickling her, or I'm just wearing her around on my arm or ankle, she has no reason to bite me...and probably never will. |
Restraint of primates in laboratories and zoos.
But when I put her back in her cage? Or on the scale? If I had to force her to take medication or give her a shot? She'd bite me in a second...given the opportunity. She hasn't bitten me because I follow the Monkey Rules (see the Home page). And when I do something that I know she'll object to, I handle her so she can't bite me (and sometimes even cover her head so she can't see, a trick I learned working with parrots).
Animal behaviorist Dave Peirot demonstrated how to restrain a monkey using the technique illustrated in FIG 20.9 on the bottom left of the page from Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals, Murray E. Fowler.
I do a variation with Lolita more like FIG 20.11 on the bottom right. I circle the back of her head with my right hand; then I force her off me onto a large stuffed toy with my left hand, which she ultimately clings to; while still holding her head firmly. She squawks, I'm firm, and it's over. And I always give her the opportunity to respond to a voice command first, so the choice is hers.
I'll never be a monkey whisperer, but I'm becoming an educated handler, albeit fallibly human. So no, Lolita hasn't bitten me yet, although she probably will. The odds are just greater that Chiquito will do it first. He's older, male, more aggressive, and had a history of biting his surrogate mother before we got him.
Animal behaviorist Dave Peirot demonstrated how to restrain a monkey using the technique illustrated in FIG 20.9 on the bottom left of the page from Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals, Murray E. Fowler.
I do a variation with Lolita more like FIG 20.11 on the bottom right. I circle the back of her head with my right hand; then I force her off me onto a large stuffed toy with my left hand, which she ultimately clings to; while still holding her head firmly. She squawks, I'm firm, and it's over. And I always give her the opportunity to respond to a voice command first, so the choice is hers.
I'll never be a monkey whisperer, but I'm becoming an educated handler, albeit fallibly human. So no, Lolita hasn't bitten me yet, although she probably will. The odds are just greater that Chiquito will do it first. He's older, male, more aggressive, and had a history of biting his surrogate mother before we got him.
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