Presence of a privacy divider increases proximity in pair-housed rhesus monkeys (2007)

Basile, B. M., Hampton, R. R., Chaudhry, A. M. et al.

Abstract

We observed twenty-five pairs of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) both with and without the presence of a privacy divider. Monkeys spent significantly more time in the same half of the pair-cage when the divider was in place. Subjects were fifty adult rhesus macaque monkeys aged between 5 and 13 years, housed in socially compatible pairs consisting of 18 male/male pairs, 2 female/female pairs, and 5 male/female pairs. We conclude that the increase in proximity associated with the presence of the privacy dividers reflects an increase in social tolerance and/or attraction. A privacy divider may provide a safe haven and give monkeys the ability to diffuse hostile situations before they escalate.