Non Human Primates

Rhesus Macaques

Behavior

Arboreal and Terrestrial, Vocalizing ,Foraging, Exploratory, Vertical Movement, Grooming, Playing

Social Structure

For females, the hierarchy is stable, clear dominant submissive relationships. Ranking depends on mothers. Offspring takes the rank as her mother once mother passes.  This is the ascendancy rule.   Immature males develop rank as their mother, but once mothers separate, dominance is based off aggression and social skills.

Abnormal Behaviors

Pacing, Back Flipping, Rocking, Self-Biting/Injury, Head Banging, Hair Plucking, Feces Painting

Marmosets

Behavior

Allogrooming, Exploratory, Huddling, Food Sharing

Social Structure

Marmosets’ social status is linked to breeding status. The breeding pair is codominant.  For nonbreeding individuals, the hierarchy, dominant submissive relationship is aged based.

Abnormal Behaviors

Scent marking, Scratching, Agitated locomotion`

Strutural Enrichment

Baboons

Behavior

Vocal ,Foraging, Exploratory, Vertical Movement, Grooming

Social Structure

Baboons live in troops ranging from 15 to 150 individuals. Females stay with natal group for their entire lives.  Males will separate to mate.  Ranking is passed down from mothers to daughters.

Abnormal Behaviors

Aggression, Pacing, Circling, Feces Smearing

Into eyes of baboon

Enrichment for Non Human Primates

Enrichment items that promote foraging, manipulating objections, creative play, exploration and gnawing such as PVC feeders, edible treats such as whole corn, and water enrichment work best to exhibit their natural behaviors. 

Rhesus love water enrichment while  foraging for fruits and seeds.
Rhesus love water enrichment while foraging for fruits and seeds.
Toilet paper is a great destructible for monkeys.
Toilet paper is a great destructible for monkeys.
Porch boxes allow the monkeys to perch and see room from a different view.
Porch boxes allow the monkeys to perch and see room from a different view.
NHP exploring swing tube in his enclosure
NHP exploring swing tube in his enclosure

Resources

Featured studies related to refinement, enrichment, handling, behavior management, and training techniques.