Nasal probe and toothpick tool use by a wild female bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus)

Abstract

We report the first observation of probe tool use by a wild adult female bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidniosus), at Serra da Capivara National Park (SCNP), Brazil. This individual used several stick tools and one grass stem to probe her nostrils, usually triggering a sneeze reaction, and also used stick tools to probe her teeth or gum. Both of these behaviours were accompanied by inspection and licking of the tool following use. We have termed these self-directed actions nasal probe and toothpick, and neither has been previously reported in wild capuchins. While stick tool use is common among foraging male capuchins at SCNP, the novel and at present idiosyncratic activities performed by the female monkey add to the known behavioural repertoire for this species.