Infant development in the lion-tailed macaque,Macaca silenus (Linnaeus): The first eight weeks

Infant development in lion-tailed monkeys was observed during the first eight weeks after birth. A rapid decrease in the time spent in the closest association by the mother and the infant was seen between the first and second weeks. Between the second and fifth week there was a somewhat steady state with only marginal decrease in the time spent by the infant out of lap of the mother. However, during this time, a rapid decline in maternal cradling and restraining behaviour was seen. From the sixth week onwards, there was a rapid increase in the time spent by the infant out of contact with the mother. Independence of the infant during troop progression was seen only towards the eighth week, that too only marginal. Among the troop members the subadult females and the juvenile females showed the maximum interest in the infant. The former spent much more time than the juveniles interacting with the infant. The adult females showed only little interest in the infant while the adult male showed no interest at all. Infant snatching by subadult females and juvenile females was seen on many occasions. The infant remained in the possession of them from less than 1 min to more than 2 hr. This behaviour tended to decrease towards the sixth week.