Temminck's red colobus (
Procolobus badius temminckii) inhabiting the Abuko Nature Reserve, the Gambia, manipulate objects during solitary play, social play where there is an
obvious goal involved, agonistic and intimidation displays, and tug-of-war contests. Some of the object manipulation may be
regarded as true tool use and manufacture. Variation in the form and frequency of manipulative activities shows clear sex
differences which may relate to sex differences in social behavior. All observed cases of tool manufacture occurred at times
of maximum social upheaval for the individual concerned in the act.
Key Words Red colobus -
Procolobus badius
- Tool use - Object play - Stick brandishing - Social games - Tug-of-war contests