Social behaviour of mother and infant vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops)

Mother-infant relations in wild vervet monkeys (Cercoopithecus aethiops) and relations of mothers with other group members were studied in the Masai-Amboseli Game Reserve, Kenya. Vervet infants are more precocious than other cercopithecines in the following: ventral clinging to the mother declines faster and earlier than in other species; infants are weaned earlier; infants spend less time in non-aggressive contact with their mothers; mothers groom their infants less; and other group members handle infants earlier than in other species. The social contacts of mothers with other group members change radically after parturition. There are many more contacts with immature females, who devote considerable attention to newborn infants. © 1971.

Duke Scholars

Author Thomas T Struhsaker Evolutionary Anthropology