How social influences affect food neophobia in captive chimpanzees: A comparative approach

Abstract

Humans, chimpanzees, and capuchin monkeys are all species facing the "omnivore's dilemma" (Rozin 1977), that is, their success depends both on the propensity to eat novel foods and on the caution to explore and sample them. On the one hand, an omnivorous species should look for novel foods to enlarge its diet, to adapt to different environments, and to overcome shortage; on the other hand, it should detect and avoid the risk of ingesting poisonous substances (Freeland and Janzen 1974; Glander 1982; Milton 1993).