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. 1988;14(2):177-179.
doi: 10.1002/ajp.1350140208.

Use of a club by a wild white-faced capuchin (Cebus capucinus) to attack a venomous snake (Bothrops asper)

S Boinski  1
Affiliations

Use of a club by a wild white-faced capuchin (Cebus capucinus) to attack a venomous snake (Bothrops asper)

S Boinski. Am J Primatol. 1988.

Abstract

In Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, an adult male Cebus capucinus was observed repeatedly hitting a venomous snake (Bothropsasper) with a branch. Initially a large dead branch overhanging the snake had been broken off in the course of aggressive displays to the snake by the adult and two subadult males. The snake's escape was apparently prevented by the weight of the fallen branch and possibly by the injuries caused by its fall. This is the first direct observation of a capuchin monkey in a natural habitat using a tool.

Keywords: aggressive display; primate predation; tool use.

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References

    1. Beck, B. B. Animal Tool Use Behavior: the Use and Manufacture of Tools By Animals. New York, Garland STPM Press, 1980.
    1. Cooper, L. R.; Harlow, H. F. Note on a Cebus monkey's use of a stick as a weapon. Psychological Reports 8:418, 1961.
    1. Hall, K. R. L. Tool using performances as indicators of behavioral adaptability. Current Anthropology 4:479–487, 1963.
    1. Hill, W. C. O. Primates: Comparative Anatomy and Taxonomy, IV. Cebidae, Part A. Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, 1960.
    1. Izawa, K.; Mizuno, A. Palm‐fruit cracking behavior of wild black‐capped capuchin (Cebus apella). Primates 18:773–792, 1977.

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