by Daniel Laberge
Human grooming

Primates and grooming

Primates invented grooming,
then they denatured it to the point where almost none is performed anymore.

The origins of grooming;
from claws to flat nails

The first primates
were grooming correctly.

Peaceful and clean animals

A complete system

How did the first primates groom?

The evolution of flat nails

From claws to nails

The toilet-claw

Why have flat nails evolved?

Can I do something about my itch or pain?

Are primates grooming correctly?

Grooming is the action of unfolding the skin, while the primates are removing parasites and debris.

Are these primates grooming?

Primates grooming
Primates grooming

© Paul Williams

 © David Dennis Photos

Primates grooming
Primates grooming

© .robbie

© thsutton

Observe how the groomers focus their attention

on the area that they are grooming.

They are not grooming

What they are doing

Using sight while grooming

How should the grooming be performed?

"Human grooming" video

Badly groomed primates:

you be the judge

Folds on a chimpanzee

© Picture Taker 2

Folds all over signal an ungroomed face.

Folds on a younger chimpanzee

© Picture Taker 2

This younger chimpanzee

visibly hasn't been grooming.

Grooming in the wild;
social, but ineffective

How long do primates groom?

Self versus mutual grooming

Motherly grooming

Mother grooming her child

© fortes

Social grooming

Denaturing grooming

Subject grooming master

© kibuyu

Do you think the big guy will groom the small one afterwards?
Social grooming is most often performed by individuals of lesser rank.

The «not-so-lost» instinct of grooming

More primate info

"Human grooming" video
Folds on a chimpanzee
Folds on a younger chimpanzee
Mother grooming her child
Subject grooming master