Sleeping Site Selection by White-faced Capuchins (Cebus capucinus) in the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Abstract

Several hypotheses for sleeping site selection have been proposed in response to the wide range of slumber patterns exhibited by primate species. We examined the “predation-avoidance”, “comfort”, and “security” sleeping site selection hypotheses for white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus) in the Santa Rosa sector of the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. From February through April 2008 we recorded the plant species, height, diameter at breast height (DBH), canopy cover, lowermost branch height, subcanopy height, and phenology of sleeping trees selected by three habituated groups. White-faced capuchins preferentially selected sleeping trees of tall, emergent height, with DBH > 65 centimeters, and a low percentage of canopy cover. The girth of their sleeping trees was wider and the canopy cover was less than predicted from other primate studies. Emergent height, wide girth and sparse canopy cover are all hypothesized to reduce predation risk. Our findings suggest that white-faced capuchins employ a predation-avoidance strategy in their selection of sleeping trees, while also taking into account the comfort and security of their sleeping sites. By increasing our knowledge of the characteristics of preferred sleeping sites we can improve our overall understanding of the needs and interdependence of white-faced capuchins and their environment.