Behavioral Abnormalities in Captive Nonhuman Primates
In this study, we dealt with 11 species of nonhuman primates across 10 zoos in India. We recorded behavior as instantaneous scans between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. In the study, we segregated behaviors for analyses into abnormal, undesirable, active, and resting. The 4 types of abnormal behavior exhibited included floating limb, self-biting, self-clasping, and […]
The Effect of Feeding Enrichment on the Moloch Gibbon (Hylobates Moloch)
This study explored the effect of 3 feeding devices (food-filled baskets, polyvinyl chloride tubes, frozen ice pops) on the behavior of 4 zoo-housed moloch gibbons. The project studied the gibbons for 5 days during a control condition (no feeding enrichment) and 5 days per condition of feeding enrichment, when 3 of the same type of […]
Protective and territorial behavior in captive siamangs (Hylobates syndactylus)
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1997)16:43.3.CO;2-1 Protective and territorial behavior was observed in 14 heterosexual pairs of adult siamangs in 11 zoos for a total of 1,155 h. The study shows that the quality of protective and territorial behavioral patterns was similar in the wild and in captivity. Under zoo conditions, the behavioral response (except calling) to conspecific and […]
Object permanence tests on gibbons (Hylobatidae)
Ten gibbons of various species (Symphalangus syndactylus, Hylobates lar, Nomascus gabriellae, and Nomascus leucogenys) were tested on object permanence tasks. Three identical wooden boxes, presented in a linear line, were used to hide pieces of food. The authors conducted single visible, single invisible, double invisible, and control displacements, in both random and nonrandom order. During […]
Observations on the Behavior of Gibbons (Hylobates leucogenys, H. gabriellae, and H. lar) in the Presence of Mirrors
Three captive gibbons ( Hylobates leucogenys, H. gabriellae , and H. lar ) were videotaped in the course of longitudinal exposure to mirrors introduced into their familiar cage or island housing situation. The gibbons, which differed in age, sex, species, and rearing condition, exhibited great individual difference in their behavioral reactions to mirrors, spanning from […]
A comparison of rhesus monkey and gibbon responses to unfamiliar situations
11 gibbons and 11 rhesus monkeys were individually tested in 7 types of novel situations. Test situations used multiple unfamiliar cages, novel objects, unfamiliar animals of the same species, humans in standard situations, and a white rat. The 2 groups differed in both quality and quantity of exploration, with the gibbons more active. The rhesus […]
Behavioral responses to the zoo environment by white handed gibbons
Although there is a growing literature on the effects of zoo environments on nonhuman primate behavior, comparatively little research has been published on the behavioral responses of gibbons and siamangs (family: Hylobatidae) to zoo visitors. Here, we present the findings from our study on the effects of noise, visitor group size, and the presence of […]
Phylogenetic Separation in Limb Use in Captive Gibbons (Hylobatidae): A Comparison Across the Primate Order
Although there have been few studies of self-scratching in primates, some have reported distinct differences in whether hands or feet are used, and these variations seem to reflect the evolutionary history of the Order. Monkeys and prosimians use both hands and feet to self-scratch while African great apes use hands almost exclusively. Gibbons represent an […]
An investigation into the use of music as potential auditory enrichment for moloch gibbons (Hylobates moloch)
The use of music as enrichment has rarely been explored in zoos, despite evidence that music has a positive effect on a range of laboratory housed animals. In this study of moloch gibbons, Hylobates moloch, at Howletts Wild Animal Park (Kent, England), instrumental classical music was played to eight individuals in two family groups. Music […]
Extra-pair paternity confirmed in wild white-handed gibbons
Knowledge of the genetic mating system of animal species is essential for our understanding of the evolution of social systems and individual reproductive strategies. In recent years, genetic methods have uncovered an unexpected diversity of paternal genetic contributions across diverse animal social mating systems, but particularly in pair-living species. In most pair-living birds, for example, […]