We are pleased to share a new popular science article by Dr. Miquel Llorente titled "Los primates también juegan con muñecas" ("Primates also play with dolls") on The Conversation. This article, aimed at a general audience, delves into the fascinating world of play behaviour among primates, drawing parallels between human and non-human primate play.

The article discusses how juvenile primates, like their human counterparts, engage in playful activities involving objects, such as sticks and stones, and even show a preference for doll-like objects. This behaviour is compared to traditional human play patterns, especially the use of dolls as a form of nurturing or imaginative play. Additionally, it highlights a study conducted by our team at Punta Laguna, México, which examined play behaviour in wild spider monkeys. The research provides key insights into how these primates engage in different types of play, further enriching our understanding of the social and cognitive development of primates.

You can read the full article here.