Thursday, 23 January 2014

At one with the universe


When the female capuchin comes on heat she acts like a drunk on Viagra. She pursues her target. She squeaks and she flirts. She teases, pulls fur, tickles, rubs her body against his. The male ignores her with implacable dignity. It withstands all her advances with statesman-like calmness.

On the fourth day it succumbs.

It is on the fourth day the female is at her most fertile and receptive. She doesn’t appear to appreciate this, the evolutionary drive to mate being a fairly blunt tool, as it were. But the male knows. The male is attuned to the universe.

9 comments:

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I'm almost stubborn enough to doubt

Maria Zannini said...

Oh, brother! LOL.

And a perfect picture for the post too.

Mike Keyton said...

Mac, doubt what - that males would resist for four days or that they are attuned to the mysteries of the universe😀?

Mike Keyton said...

Thanks, Maria. It took ages to get just the right pic because there were so many contenders

LD Masterson said...

Um, why don't they just have fun all four days? Is the male a one and done?

Mike Keyton said...

It doesn't confide in the likes of me, Linda.

Misha Gerrick said...

Mmm... attuned with the universe, eh?

Misha Gerrick said...

Or is it... lazy? :-P

Mike Keyton said...

Capuchins aren't noted for their work ethic, Misha, so you may be right. Then again, there's a lot to be said for the conservation of energy