Infant capuchin monkeys - suggested answers

Issue 10, December 1997

Intermediate tier

1. fruit

2. broccoli/cauliflower (accept either)

3. mushroom

4. so that when the novel foods were presented it would be a 'fair test' (since the foods would be identical in size), even though the calorific value, protein content, etc. would differ

5. the colour, or smell, or texture may have influenced the choice, or attractiveness, of the food

6. they would not come across these fish in the "d - the smell of the fish may have influenced their choice

7. although the infant capuchin monkeys show some interest in what their peers are eating they show an increased interest in what older monkeys are eating - they show most interest in what their mothers are eating

8. in the wild their mother shows them what is good to eat - when young, they travel everywhere with their mother and they see what food she eats and copy her when they have been weaned

Higher tier

1. as intermediate 3

2. as intermediate 4

3. as intermediate 6

4. as intermediate 7

5. as intermediate 8

6. some of the foods were processed foods which they would not be exposed to in the wild - the studies did not take place in the wild, captive populations may not behave as wild ones might - unequal numbers of novel and familiar foods were used - the foods were not identical in colour, texture, etc.

7. the food might be toxic/poisonous

8. as they approached weaning, the monkeys would soon need to be independent so they would have to fend for themselves - therefore it would be important for them to be able to recognise potential foods which would be safe to eat, so best to copy others.