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Do chimpanzee nests serve an anti-predatory function?

Fiona A Stewart1, J D Pruetz

  • 1Division of Biological Anthropology, Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom. fas31@cam.ac.uk

American Journal of Primatology
|March 9, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Great apes may have evolved shelter construction to balance sleep needs with predator threats. Chimpanzees in predator-rich areas exhibit specific nesting behaviors, like higher and peripheral nests, to enhance safety.

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Area of Science:

  • Primate Behavior
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Animal Ecology

Background:

  • Sleep is a vulnerable state, increasing predation risk for animals.
  • Shelter construction in great apes may mitigate the trade-off between sleep and safety.
  • Predation pressure is a significant factor in the evolution of animal behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of predation risk on chimpanzee nesting behavior.
  • To compare nesting strategies of chimpanzees in predator-dense versus predator-devoid habitats.
  • To review evidence of predator pressure on great apes.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of chimpanzee nests in Issa (high predation) and Fongoli (low predation) habitats.
  • Assessment of nesting frequency in forest vegetation, group aggregation, and nest proximity.
  • Evaluation of nest height and peripheral placement within trees.

Main Results:

  • Chimpanzees in Issa did not nest more in forest vegetation or in larger groups than those in Fongoli.
  • Nesting proximity within the same tree was higher in Issa.
  • Issa chimpanzees built nests significantly higher and more peripherally within trees.

Conclusions:

  • Chimpanzee nesting behavior is influenced by predation risk, with specific adaptations for safety.
  • High and peripheral nest placement may serve as a strategy to avoid terrestrial predators.
  • While forest nesting and group aggregation did not differ, nest height and position are key indicators of predator avoidance in chimpanzees.