Monkey see, monkey do: The surprising trait also found in animals
In honor of International Left-Handers Day, scientists and zoologists prove that side preference is not exclusive to humans. From kangaroos that clearly prefer their left hand, through elephants whose limbs wear out from using only one side of the trunk, to lizards that divide their vision between both eyes for prey and threats — this is how the animal brain works to survive.
In honor of International Left-Handers Day, we set out to check whether a preference for a certain side of the body also exists in nature. From a conversation with Yotam Bar, a zoologist from the Safari, it emerges that the scientific phenomenon known as "lateralization" — a consistent preference for one side of the body — is very common among many species in the animal kingdom.
One of the most prominent examples of left-handedness in nature is the kangaroo. Unlike most humans who prefer their right hand, studies show that in certain species of kangaroo there is a clear tendency to use the left hand specifically for daily tasks such as eating and grooming.
A more complex picture emerges among monkeys. While chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas tend to be right-handed — just like humans — orangutans show an opposite tendency, specifically towards left-handedness. Among primates in general, side preference is clearly expressed in daily activities such as gathering food, climbing, and using tools.
Asian elephants also show a clear side preference, expressed in the use of the trunk. An elephant may consistently prefer to curl its trunk to the right or left when gathering food. This preference is so strong that it leads over time to asymmetrical wear of the hairs and wrinkles at the tip of its trunk.
The world of reptiles and birds also presents a fascinating division of roles. In parrots and other birds, the preference is evident in the foot with which they hold food, or the eye with which they examine objects. Lizards, on the other hand, use their right eye to focus on prey, but switch to their left eye to identify threats and predators in the environment.
The reason for this phenomenon is not accidental, but reflects an efficient division of labor between the two hemispheres of the brain. The left side of the brain, which controls the right side of the body, is responsible for focused and routine actions such as hunting and gathering. In contrast, the right side of the brain, which controls the left side of the body, is responsible for emotional processing, reaction to threats, and identifying unexpected events. In conclusion, it seems that "being left-handed" is not just a human matter, but a broad evolutionary principle that helps animals survive and function efficiently in the world.
