Primate species demonstrate high levels of intelligence, innovation, and social learning. These
characteristics give rise to a high likelihood of new behaviours occurring and being socially
transmitted to other individuals within a group. Capuchin monkeys are group-living and are
commonly considered to be among the most intelligent ...
Primate species demonstrate high levels of intelligence, innovation, and social learning. These
characteristics give rise to a high likelihood of new behaviours occurring and being socially
transmitted to other individuals within a group. Capuchin monkeys are group-living and are
commonly considered to be among the most intelligent non-ape primates. They exhibit a large
repertoire of complex behaviours and have been shown to be capable of innovating to problem
solve. However, observations of new behaviours in wild populations are rare in comparison to
captive populations. Here we describe Panamanian white-faced capuchins (Cebus imitator) carrying
out a behaviour which has not been previously documented in capuchin species and may be related
to predator avoidance. This behaviour was video-recorded and to our knowledge is the first record
of a capuchin species using tail-dipping behaviour to access an open water source in the wild.
