Hands-On

There is this cute little baboon in the Kruger National Park . . .

. . . which nibbled on a dry leaf whilst its mother was busy grooming the troop's alpha male . . .

. . . when it appeared as if the little one started to copy its mother's movements . . .

. . . before it moved up and over to have a closer look at what was going on.

In response the female turned to glance at the little intruder in a more proudly encouraging than disapproving way . . .

. . . because other than demonstrating that "hands-on" implies active participation in a direct and practical way, the female was probably aware that her little one would in future be regarded with reference by the male associating a feeling of well-being with their intimate interactions right then.

Clever trick OR natural selection??