Sex differences in behavior among juvenile vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus)

Abstract

Sex differences in the behavior of juvenile vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) were investigated. Five male and five female juvenile (aged 24 to 30 months) members of a captive group were observed. Behaviors monitored included playing, aggressing, submitting, approaching, grooming, mounting, genital inspecting, caretaking, huddling, exploring, locomoting, eating, and being solitary. Juvenile males played more, ate more, and were solitary more. Females groomed and were groomed more, approached more, and engaged in more caretaking. There were no sex differences in the other behaviors. These data indicate that juvenile vervet monkeys do not manifest many of the sex differences in behavior reported to occur in other species of Old World monkeys. The data also indicate that juvenile sex differences in behavior are not necessarily predictive of adult differences. © 1979 Academic Press, Inc.