Behavioral Evidence For The Cutaneous Expression Of Emotion In A Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Self-directed behaviors (SDBs) are behavioral indicators of stress, but have received relatively little experimental scrutiny. The present study reports the distribution of SDBs in a 14-year-old male chimpanzee in relation to performance on a matching-to-sample task of varying difficulty. The rate of rubbing behaviors (self-touching with the hand without any raking motion of the fingernails) […]
Correlates of self-directed and stereotypic behaviours in captive red-capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus torquatus)
The quantification of behaviours linked to anxiety or stress provides a powerful means to address applied questions related to the well being of captive animals. This study explored correlates of two such behaviours – self-directed (SDB) and stereotypic behaviour (STB) – among captive red-capped mangabeys, Cercocebus torquatus torquatus. Study animals were held at two sites […]
Behavioural indicators of anxiety: An empirical test in chimpanzees
Behavioural, pharmacological, and physiological evidence supports an association between displacement activities and anxiety in macaques. Information is scarce in other primate and non-primate species. This study contributes to the understanding of the relation between displacement activities and emotional states by investigating the correspondence between self-directed behaviour and an inherently stressful situation in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). […]
Tail-Biting in Mink (Mustela Vison) is Influenced by Age at Removal from the Mother
Previous studies have shown that male mink (Mustela vison) removed from their mothers at seven weeks of age develop more tail-biting than males left with their mothers until six months. Mink in the wild do not damage their own pelts in this way, and such behaviour may well be an indication of chronic stress. The […]
Assessing the prevalence and characteristics of hair-plucking behaviour in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Non-human primates occasionally exhibit behaviours thought to occur only in captivity that are considered abnormal. In partic-ular, hair-plucking behaviour occurs across many species of mammals and birds. This study was the first to assess the phenom-enology, demography and aetiology of this behaviour in captive gorillas across the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) population. A […]
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 […]
Assessing the prevalence and characteristics of hair-plucking behaviour in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Non-human primates occasionally exhibit behaviours thought to occur only in captivity that are considered abnormal. In particular, hair-plucking behaviour occurs across many species of mammals and birds. This study was the first to assess the phenomenology, demography and aetiology of this behaviour in captive gorillas across the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) population. A […]
Grooming increases self-directed behaviour in wild Barbary macaques, Macaca sylvanus
Allogrooming has hygienic and social functions. Moreover, anxiety is thought to be reduced in the first few minutes after a grooming interaction is terminated. Few data exist on postgrooming reduction in anxiety, and mostly concern the recipient of grooming and captive animals. We analysed whether anxiety is reduced after grooming and whether this reduction differs […]
Macaques attend to scratching in others
Self-directed behaviours in primates as a response to increasing psychological or physiological stress are a well-studied phenomenon. There is some evidence that these behaviours can be contagious when observed by conspecifics, but the adaptive function of this process is unclear. The ability to perceive stress in others and respond to it could be an important […]
Experimentally evaluating the function of self-directed behaviour in two adult mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx)
Given the difficulties of conducting regular endocrine and veterinary assessments of animals, behavioural observations are often the most commonly used tool to assess the welfare of animals in human care. Behavioural measures, inexpensive and convenient to collect, also have their challenges, such as ensuring the behaviours of interest are reliable indicators of an animal’s internal […]