In a notable experiment, monkeys displayed a similar rapid reaction to altered images of salamanders that were covered in snakeskin, suggesting that the presence of scales is a critical visual cue.

These insights not only shed light on the evolution of visual processing related to threat detection in primates but also have implications for understanding brain evolution in humans and other animals.

Recent research led by Kawai has revealed that monkeys exhibit a quicker response to images of snakes compared to salamanders, indicating a specific fear of snakes.

Published in Scientific Reports on November 10, 2024, these findings underscore an evolutionary adaptation in primates for recognizing threats through distinct visual characteristics.

This response highlights that scales serve as a significant threat indicator for monkeys, even when the creature depicted is harmless.

Kawai emphasizes that these findings could enhance our comprehension of how visual processing has evolved in primates, potentially offering parallels in human vision and cognition.