Sex as a Social Tool

Bonobos have earned their reputation as the "hippie apes" for good reason: they use sex the way humans use handshakes — frequently and for almost any social occasion.

Bonobos engage in sexual activity: - To greet each other - To resolve conflicts - To reduce tension after aggressive encounters - To share food - To comfort others - When excited about anything

Unlike most animals (and even most primates), bonobo sex isn't just about reproduction. It's a social tool. They've been observed having sex in virtually every combination: - Male-female - Female-female (very common — called "GG rubbing") - Male-male - Between different age groups

Perhaps their most famous behavior is using sex to defuse conflicts. Where chimpanzees (their closest relatives) might fight over food, bonobos are more likely to have quick sexual contact first, then share peacefully.

Female bonobos form strong alliances through sexual bonding, which helps them dominate males in the social hierarchy — unusual for apes.

This constant sexual activity means bonobo society is remarkably peaceful compared to chimps. Researchers have never observed a bonobo killing another bonobo, while chimp violence is well-documented.

Bonobos demonstrate that sex can serve many purposes beyond reproduction — a lesson humans might recognize.