Reproductive parameters of mandrills at the Tulsa Zoo
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430140205.abs The genital swelling patterns and birth records of female mandrills housed at the Tulsa Zoo between 1979 and 1992 were examined to determine various reproductive parameters. Mean age at first adolescent genital swelling was 2.7 years (sd = .55), first adult swelling was 3.7 years (sd = .64), and first conception was 5.1 […]
The dining etiquette of desert baboons: the roles of social bonds, kinship, and dominance in co-feeding networks
Abstract To better understand how individual relationships influence patterns of social foraging in primate groups, we explored networks of co-feeding in wild desert baboons (Papio ursinus). To minimize the risk of aggression and injury associated with contest competition, we expected that individual group members would choose to co-feed with those group-mates that are most likely […]
Hormonal correlates of changes in interest in unrelated infants across the peripartum period in female baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis sp.)
In past research on human and nonhuman primates, maternal responsiveness and behavior has been thought of as an experiential, cognitive mechanism; however, recent findings have shown that maternal motivation and behavior may not be entirely divorced from the endocrine system. To investigate the relationship between interest in infants and the hormonal changes related to pregnancy, […]
Modifying the behaviour of singly caged baboons- evaluating the effectiveness of four enrichment techniques
Techniques to reduce or prevent behavioural disturbances in singly caged primates vary in form and effectiveness, with some behaviours being exceptionally resistant to treatment. Seven singly caged adolescent male olive hybrid baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis) were selected for behavioural intervention because of their severe abnormal behaviour. A continuous, all-occurrence sampling method yielded mean durations of […]
Space Utilization by Captive-Born Baboons (Papio sp.) Before and After Provision of Structural Enrichment
Eight baboon groups (Papio sp.) were observed for over one hundred scan samples both before and after the provision of structural enrichment. Additions to their home-cage included a galvanized ladder suspended horizontally by chains and a plastic drum hung from the ladder. Observations were conducted for three weeks before and three weeks after the structures […]
Social awareness in monkeys
Tests of self-awareness in nonhuman primates have to date been concerned almost entirely with the recognition of an animal’s reflection in a mirror. By contrast, we know much less about non-human primates’ perception of their place within a social network, or of their understanding of themselves as individuals with unique sets of social relationships. Here […]
Role of grooming in reducing tick load in wild baboons (Papio cynocephalus)
Nonhuman primate species spend a conspicuous amount of time grooming during social interactions, a behaviour that probably serves both social and health-related functions. While the social implications of grooming have been relatively well studied, less attention has been paid to the health benefits, especially the removal of ectoparasites, which may act as vectors in disease […]
Witnessing reconciliation reduces arousal of bystanders in a baboon group (Papio hamadryas hamadryas)
Reconciliation is the occurrence of friendly behaviour between opponents shortly after an aggressive conflict. In primate groups, reconciliation reduces aggression and postconflict arousal. Aggression within a group can also increase arousal of bystanders (e.g. increase bystanders’ rates of self-directed behaviour). Since reconciliation reduces aggression between opponents, we tested whether it also reduces self-directed behaviour in […]
Evaluation of Reproduction and Raising Offspring in a Nursery-Reared SPF Baboon (Papio hamadryas anubis) Colony
Baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis) of a conventional breeding colony were nursery-reared to create a specific pathogen-free (SPF) baboon-breeding program. Because the founding generations were nursery-reared until 2 years of age, it was suspected that the SPF baboons would exhibit increased reproductive challenges as adults. Mothering behavior was of interest, because SPF females were not exposed […]
Social bonds in female baboons: the interaction between personality, kinship and rank
Previous analyses indicate that female baboons that form strong and stable social bonds reproduce more successfully than others, and that some elements of females’ personalities are associated with the tendency to form close social bonds. Here we use a new method to confirm that females’ personalities were stable over time, although not fixed, and that […]