Howler Monkeys. Just in case you're wondering what they look like, I've provided a picture. This guy is even howling, so you can immerse yourself in the photo and imagine his throaty lion like growl. Other than that and a few other noteworthy things I'll talk about here, I really know very little about these animals. I'm not a big fan of monkeys. I don't immerse myself in nature all that much. I appreciate nature and all its beauty, and the wild animal kingdom that inhabits it, but I'm happiest hanging out in the city, in my man made dwelling, with my family and my dog.
Now before I get started, I need to talk about my relationship with CBC Radio One.
I feel the need to do so because there will be more than one post that was triggered by something I listened to on CBC Radio One. I think it's only fair I explain my relationship to it. I love it. I am a CBC radio junky. Up into my late 30s, I refused to listen to CBC. I didn't think it was for me and my ilk. I listened to CJay 92 (local Calgary Radio Station). Rock and Roll all the way man! If a radio station wasn't playing music, I wanted no part. Slowly though, CBC crept into my life. You see my husband listened to the CBC, especially for the news. Often it would be left on in the car while I was out and about. Over time I would be gripped by the documentaries and the programming. Saturday afternoon especially; The Debaters, Under the Influence, This is That, Definitely Not the Opera just to name a few. I love those programs; all designed to expand the mind, generate compassion, or make you laugh. I'm good with all those things. Please note, I am fully aware that there are many out there who see this station as fuel for the left wing liberal agenda. I can't speak to that. All I know is for me, their programs broaden my mind and make me think. I don't know how that can be a bad thing. Learning and laughing - it's all good.
I'm sharing this story because I think it's a little bit funny, but I also think it illustrates how when you don't pay attention you can really get things wrong. That's exactly what I did. I am also aware this story pushes the envelope a little in terms of propriety. I hope you are not too offended and enjoy it. My tongue is firmly planted in my cheek as I write this. :-)
So this howler monkey story began with me listening to an episode of Quirks and Quarks on CBC radio, one Saturday afternoon as I was driving around, running errands. I was in and out of the car, but make no mistake I was still engaged and interested in this episode about howler monkeys. Here is what I heard; these animals have a very loud and throaty howl. The males of the species use their howl to attract females. Scientific studies are now showing a correlation between the deep, resonating growl and the size of the testicles. The louder the growl, the larger the testicles. More importantly the louder the growl, the more attractive they are to the female, and the more they cankeep competing males at bay. If you read no further than this, please know I got this completely wrong. My mind even added extra stuff based on my own assumptions about what I missed. I do recall the host and the scientist discussing whether the same was true for the human species. I don't know why, I am not a 12 year-old school boy, but I was laughing hysterically.
I finished my errands, drove home, and told Dave about this new discovery! Head held high, gate proud, face glowing, he went about the rest of his day. (Just in case you're wondering Dave has a deep voice.) This whole thing skewed my way of thinking. Now every guy I heard speak, I was assessing things. Horrible I know, but don't blame me, blame Quirks and Quarks.
During this very same time I began writing these blog posts. In fact in the second post, I mentioned I would write about Howler Monkeys. I wanted to somehow spin a humorous tail on this interesting phenomenon I had just heard about, but I wasn't sure how to get the ball rolling. For homework I went back and re-listened to the episode, but this time I really listened. Suffice it to say, I may have misinterpreted a few things.
I knew immediately when I went to the episode on the CBC website. It was titled Howler Monkeys: Big Calls Mean Small Balls. Somehow I got the entire gist of the program backwards. I've never been tested for dyslexia, but anyone who knows me, knows I mix up words all the time. I did not know I could mix up an entire premise but I did. So I listened... It actually turns out that the louder, more resonating the growl, the smaller the testicles. These monkeys are more effective at attracting females, and scaring off the males, but their testicles are smaller than their higher-pitched male counterparts. It's nature's way of compensating the little guy - so to speak. It's wonderful isn't it because in the end it all balances out.
Of course I needed to correct my misinterpretation, so I explained to Dave the actual study. I expected him to be disappointed, well no not really. I'm having some fun here, remember? Anyway he's a positive guy. He can turn lemons into lemonade any day of week. He pontificated the compensation thing and applied it to the human world. All he said was "Ferrari" and that was the end of the discussion. And no, we don't own a Ferrari. :-)
CBC Audio about Howler Monkeys: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/quirks-quarks-for-oct-24-2015-1.3286059/howler-monkeys-big-calls-mean-small-balls-1.3286104
nice post :)
never heard of it before
Thank you. :-)