Captive chimpanzee foraging in a social setting: a test of problem solving, flexibility, and spatial discounting.

摘要: In the wild, primates are selective over routes that they take when foraging and seek out preferred or ephemeral food. Given this, we tested how a group of captive chimpanzees weighed relative benefits costs for food in their environment less-preferred could be obtained with less effort than more-preferred this study, social six zoo-housed (Pan troglodytes) collect PVC tokens exchange them researchers rewards at one two locations. Food preference tests had revealed that, these chimpanzees, grapes were highly-preferred while carrot pieces The three phases, each comprised 30 thirty-minute sessions. phases 1 3, if exchanged token location collected received piece (no travel) travel ≥10 m to second location. phase 2, both (≥10 pieces, ≥15 grapes). learned rewards, but there was individual variation time it took make first discover different Once all proficient exchanging tokens, more (phase 3). However, required 2), likely work either reward. Aside from alpha male, reward types, demonstrating ability explore available options. Contrary our predictions, low-ranked individuals made exchanges high-ranked individuals, most because, protocol, not monopolize access Although showed food, appeared develop strategies reduce cost associated obtaining grapes, including scrounging mates carrying travelling farther By testing able tease apart influences on decision making interplay physical demands task, which willing better.