In my master thesis, I want to assess if there are differences in
the behaviour of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) in groups
living in contact with human facilities and if these differences
could be regarded as traditions. If these differences are traditions,
they have to be spread through group members and learned socially.
In order to find such differences, I conducted very simple experiments
where I left an empty plastic box, a cool box or a backpack un-
protected and then noted whether the monkeys manipulated these
items and whether they were able to open them. I also performed
simple experiments about shyness-boldness traits in vervet monkeys.
My field work took place in South Africa, in different touristic areas.
I found 12 different groups of vervets in human-modified environments
(e.g. camp sites, picnic sites and suburban areas).
