An analysis of regurgitation and reingestion in captive chimpanzee (1996)

Baker, K. C., Easley, S. P.

Abstract

This study assesses R/R [regurgitation/reingestion] in 13 indoor-housed chimpanzees living in pairs and trios. ... Social disturbance did not elicit this behavior. Statistical tests showed no relationship between individual differences in R/R rates and rates of other abnormal behavior classes, time engaged in affiliative behaviors, number of cagemates or housing history; nor were sex differences detected. There was a strong positive relationship between rates of R/R and elapsed time since feeding. These results suggest that increasing meal frequency or providing consistently available edible material may prove more broadly effective than altering meal composition.