Famed anthropologist Jane Goodall knows a thing or two about chimpanzees. According to her recent comments, there’s another species of primate that she’s observing very closely.
“In many ways the performances of Donald Trump remind me of male chimpanzees and their dominance rituals,” Goodall said to The Atlantic.
“In order to impress rivals, males seeking to rise in the dominance hierarchy perform spectacular displays: stamping, slapping the ground, dragging branches, throwing rocks.”
From The Atlantic
In her book My Life With the Chimpanzees, Goodall told the story of “Mike,” a chimp who maintained his dominance by kicking a series of kerosene cans ahead of him as he moved down a road, creating confusion and noise that made his rivals flee and cower.
“The more vigorous and imaginative the display, the faster the individual is likely to rise in the hierarchy, and the longer he is likely to maintain that position,” Goodall said.
Goodall said that she’s planning to watch the upcoming debates between Trump and Hillary Clinton, adding that she’ll expect to see more of Mike’s antics on the debate stage.
Featured image: World Bank Collection/Gage Skidmore
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