In Costa Rica, there is a group of white-faced capuchin monkeys that occasionally pull hair, put fingers to the nose, and open the jaws of one another.
"The other monkeys want their hair re-styled, so they should try to open their mouths," said Susan Perry, director of the Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project at the University of California Los Angeles on the National Geographic page.
White-faced capuchin monkeys, living in Central and South America, have a size ratio comparable to chimpanzees.
In a paper published by Perry and Marco Smolla in June, the theory explains why this monkey group developed a unique behavioral repertoire.
They say that it is the same as ritual behavior designed to test social ties.
And because the behavior has only been documented in one group, it is yet another proof that capuchin can have a different and developing culture.
Perry believes that the practice of bond testing is very useful when there is no clear connection between the monkeys.
In tests conducted by Perry, it was found that reaction and tolerance arise when the monkeys feel uncomfortable while doing this unique practice. That way, research in behavior can guide a Capuchin's monkey social behavior in the future.
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