Vertebrate Predation and Tool-Aided Capture of Prey by Savannah Wild Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus)

Vertebrate predation was a vital behavior during human evolution. Some Afro-Eurasian primates, such as baboons (Papio spp.) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), frequently hunt consume vertebrate prey. Capuchin monkeys (Cebus Sapajus) are omnivorous platyrrhines, also vertebrates opportunistically. Bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus) living in semi-arid savannah environments use stone tools to obtain food resources. However, only one population at Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, is known stick probes enhance predation. I present data collected for 2 years on consumption by two groups of capuchins this population. Recording events ad libitum, observed 72 events, rate 4.6 events/100 h. The most frequent prey were lizards snakes, followed birds rodents, including larger rodents adult rock cavies (Kerodon rupestris). preyed bats, albeit rarely. Predation vertebrates, that large relative their body size, aid predation, high degree terrestriality the environment make robust suitable model understand evolution, well good comparison with primate models.