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Macaque behaviour quiz

Test your knowledge of macaque behaviour, facial expressions and vocalisations using our short, interactive quiz.

Macaques grroming
Macaques grroming
Q1 - Under what circumstances do macaques groom each other?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct
Social grooming is an indicator of positive welfare, but it does depend on the context. It is mainly performed in relaxed social situations, but brief bouts of grooming may occur following a stressor.

Incorrect
Social grooming is an indicator of positive welfare, but it does depend on the context. It is mainly performed in relaxed social situations, but brief bouts of grooming may occur following a stressor. 

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Q2 - In what contexts do macaques give ‘bark’ calls?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct text

The bark is a single, loud, harsh sound given in threatening situations, including agonistic social interactions. Rhesus macaques have a high-pitched “shrill bark” which is considered to be an alarm call.

Incorrect

The bark is a single, loud, harsh sound given in threatening situations, including agonistic social interactions. Rhesus macaques have a high-pitched “shrill bark” which is considered to be an alarm call.

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Macaque facial expressions
Macaque facial expressions
Q3 How would you interpret this facial expression?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
This facial expression is a grimace or bared-teeth display. It signals submission and is intended to avert possible aggression from other individuals.

Incorrect.
This facial expression is a grimace or bared-teeth display. It signals submission and is intended to avert possible aggression from other individuals.

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Macaque Posture
Macaque Posture
Q4 How would you interpret this posture?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
Presenting the rump/genitals to another individual indicates submission, performed by the subordinate towards the dominant animal. Females may also present their rump/genitals to males to solicit copulation.

Incorrect.
Presenting the rump/genitals to another individual indicates submission, performed by the subordinate towards the dominant animal. Females may also present their rump/genitals to males to solicit copulation.

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Q5 Can you identify this call of the rhesus macaque?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
This is the coo call, which is also performed by other macaque species. It is used in calm, peaceful contexts and helps to maintain auditory contact with group members.

Incorrect. This is the coo call, which is also performed by other macaque species. It is used in calm, peaceful contexts and helps to maintain auditory contact with group members.

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Macaque facial expression interpretation
Macaque facial expression interpretation
Q6 How would you interpret this facial expression?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
This is an affiliative facial expression, with eyes open and looking at another animal, brow relaxed, ears drawn back against the sides of the head, and tongue protruding.

Incorrect.
This is an affiliative facial expression, with eyes open and looking at another animal, brow relaxed, ears drawn back against the sides of the head, and tongue protruding.

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Macaque Yawning
Macaque Yawning
Q7 The adult male shows a marked increase in yawning. Why might this be?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
Exaggerated yawning with full display of teeth is a threat behaviour, or indicative of tension.

Incorrect.
Exaggerated yawning with full display of teeth is a threat behaviour, or indicative of tension.

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Q8 If you heard this noise coming from the colony rooms, would you...

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
This scream or squeal is given in response to alarming, painful or fear causing stimuli, and warrants investigation. An animal could be being bullied or attacked by another group member.

Incorrect.
This scream or squeal is given in response to alarming, painful or fear causing stimuli, and warrants investigation. An animal could be being bullied or attacked by another group member.

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Macaque positive state
Macaque positive state
Q9 Which of the following behaviours indicate a positive welfare state?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
Behavioural indicators of positive welfare include social grooming, resting in close body contact, calm foraging and feeding behaviour, relaxed locomotion and exploration, and play.

Incorrect.
Behavioural indicators of positive welfare include social grooming, resting in close body contact, calm foraging and feeding behaviour, relaxed locomotion and exploration, and play.

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Macaques expressions
Macaques expressions
Q10 How would you interpret this facial expression?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
The open mouth stare is used to threaten other individuals. It is seen during tension between group members, and is often performed towards unwelcome humans. 

Incorrect.
The open mouth stare is used to threaten other individuals. It is seen during tension between group members, and is often performed towards unwelcome humans. 

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Macaque barriers
Macaque barriers
Q11 Why are visual barriers, such as this panel, barrel and upper floor, important for macaques in captivity?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
Visual barriers can be important for all of these reasons.

Incorrect.
Visual barriers can be important for all of these reasons.

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Macaque self scratching
Macaque self scratching
Q12 Self-scratching increases in response to?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
Self-scratching is generally an indicator of anxiety in non-human primates, especially if performed at excessive levels.

Incorrect.
Self-scratching is generally an indicator of anxiety in non-human primates, especially if performed at excessive levels.

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Macaque facial indicators
Macaque facial indicators
Q13 If you saw this expression, would it be?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
This is a fear grin/grimace – an indicator of negative welfare. If a macaque shows grimacing, resistance, flight/escape reactions, vocalisation (scream), urination or defecation in response to a procedure, these are signs of fear and anxiety. Attention should be given to desensitising and habituating the animal to the procedure, to minimise the fear response.

Incorrect.
This is a fear grin/grimace – an indicator of negative welfare. If a macaque shows grimacing, resistance, flight/escape reactions, vocalisation (scream), urination or defecation in response to a procedure, these are signs of fear and anxiety. Attention should be given to desensitising and habituating the animal to the procedure, to minimise the fear response.

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Macaque foraging for food
Macaque foraging for food
Q14 How long do wild macaques typically spend foraging for food?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
The activity budgets of wild macaques vary with species and season, but they typically spend around 20-40% of their day foraging for food. Captive macaques should be provided with opportunities for extended bouts of foraging behaviour.

Incorrect.
The activity budgets of wild macaques vary with species and season, but they typically spend around 20-40% of their day foraging for food. Captive macaques should be provided with opportunities for extended bouts of foraging behaviour.

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Macaque abnormal behaviour
Macaque abnormal behaviour
Q15 Which of the following are abnormal behaviours in macaques?

There could be more than one correct answer for this question.

Correct.
All of these behaviours can be considered abnormal because they are not seen under natural conditions. They may affect the animal’s welfare, particularly if performed frequently (e.g. by causing injury or restricting the animal’s behavioural repertoire). They may indicate failure to cope with chronic stress, such as that caused by a poor environment.

Incorrect.
All of these behaviours can be considered abnormal because they are not seen under natural conditions. They may affect the animal’s welfare, particularly if performed frequently (e.g. by causing injury or restricting the animal’s behavioural repertoire). They may indicate failure to cope with chronic stress, such as that caused by a poor environment.

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