Tool-use behaviors and sex differences of Macaca fascicularis aurea.

• Main Author: Low, Kuan Hoong.
• Other Authors: Michael David Gumert
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Biological sciences::Zoology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/39453
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This present study uses a quasi-experiment and focal observations to investigate tools used by wild long-tailed macaques. The quasi-experiment was a tool choice paradigm where macaques selected between pre-measured tools to open food items. Results showed smaller tools were used more than larger tools on oysters. Overall evidence showed that the macaques selected different tools for different foods. This paper also presents the first quantitative study of the handedness on wild long-tailed macaques, where a right-hand preference was found in female macaques. Additional sex differences included the types of food eaten and the hammers used on food items. Studying tool-use behavior of macaques can lead to a better understanding of tool use and cognition in primates.