![]() ![]() Here, we add to these limited observations by reporting an attempted predation, and successful rescue, of a juvenile white-faced capuchin ( Cebus imitator) by a Boa constrictor in the Sector Santa Rosa (SSR) of the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. To our knowledge, these are the only published accounts of predation attempts on primates by snakes. Note that four additional predation attempts were documented, but we are excluding these from analyses as the observers did not witness the initial attack and response of group members or humans intervened in the attack to save the primate victim. Five of these interventions resulted in the successful release and survival of the victim. Indeed, of the 16 documented predation events on primates by constricting snakes (14 Boidae, 2 Pythonidae), seven reported interventions involving one or more group members physically interacting with the predator (“rescue attempts”) (Table 1). ![]() However, in the case of attacks by constricting snakes, escapes can occur with the aid of group members, as the risk of engaging a constricting snake is much lower once the snake begins coiling around the victim. Four attacks on wild primates by venomous snakes have been observed and published, with the victim dying in all instances 10, 11, 12. Attempting to rescue a group member is more dangerous if a snake is venomous, as it could easily envenomate and kill multiple individuals and there is little an individual and/or their group members can do to save an envenomated individual. Of course, the efficacy of defensive tactics will differ when individuals are attacked by venomous or constricting snakes. Based on these limited reports, the consequences of snake predation events are usually fatal. ![]() Here we report on an observed predation attempt by a Boa constrictor on a juvenile white-faced capuchin ( Cebus imitator) and the subsequent mobbing and rescue by group members.ĭespite the assumed threat snakes pose on primates, there are few published observations of predation events. Mobbing ambush predators, such as constricting snakes, is a relatively common behavior for primates as it is much less risky and the hunting success of ambush predators is greatly reduced once they are detected 7. Though effective in many cases, predator mobbing, particularly with non-ambush predators, does have potential costs as it can result in the injury or death of individual participants 9. In many species, mobbing behavior is cooperative (involving multiple group members), alerts other individuals to the location of predators, and can drive predators away and discourage future hunting in the area 8. This latter tactic involves animals attacking a predator vocally (repeated alarm calls) and/or physically (e.g., hitting, biting, or throwing items at a predator) rather than running away 7. Given the wide geographic overlap between primates and snakes, it is not surprising that primates also developed an array of anti-predator behaviors that increase snake detection, such as vigilance behaviors, and deter predation, such as predator-specific alarm calls 6 and predator mobbing 7. Isbell 5 suggested that the threat of predation specifically by snakes played a crucial role in shaping primate behavior and sensory systems. Predation is considered a major selective force leading to group living in many animal species 1, including primates 2, 3, 4, though documented predation attempts are rare. This observation adds to our growing knowledge of cooperative group behavior and its importance in predator defense. constrictor attacks on primates, the coordinated efforts of ≥ 2 group members is needed for a successful rescue. Based on the outcomes of this predation attempt and published reports of other B. Most group members participated in the vocal mobbing of the snake both during and after the attack. When the victim screamed, the alpha male, alpha female, and another adult female ran to the scene, physically attacked the snake (with bites and hits), and pulled the victim to safety. The snake caught the juvenile monkey on the ground during a terrestrial play session. Here we report an observed (filmed) predation attempt by an adult Boa constrictor (~ 2 m) on a juvenile white-faced capuchin ( Cebus imitator) in the Sector Santa Rosa of the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. However, we know relatively little about individual and group responses given the rarity of observed predation events. The threat of predation by snakes is considered to have played a significant role in the evolution of primate sensory systems and behavior. ![]()
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