Biology
The Social Dynamics of Fission-Fusion Societies in Spider Monkeys
Quick fact
A single community of spider monkeys can split into subgroups of 1-5 individuals that change composition up to several times a day, yet individuals maintain long-term social bonds with preferred partners—an intricate balance between feeding needs and social life.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a society where the group is never the same from day to day—members come and go, and you might not see your best friend for weeks. That's everyday life for a spider monkey. How do they keep their social fabric intact?