Brief communication: Self‐suckling in Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) mothers before and after the death of their infant

Abstract

We report here self-suckling in four wild female Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus), living in two troops (i.e. "Flat face" and "Large" troop) in the middle-Atlas Mountains, Morocco. The four females lost their infants due to predation or for unknown causes. Self-suckling was observed before and after the infants died in the four females living in the "Flat face" troop. When the infants were still alive, self-suckling was of short duration and it was probably a method to improve milk flow when the infant switched from one nipple to the other. After the infants died, self-suckling lasted significantly longer and the females were apparently drinking their own milk. Self-suckling was never observed among the four lactating females in the "Large" troop (including one monkey who lost her infant) and it could thus represent a cultural difference. Moreover, self-suckling after the death of an infant may be explained by the energetic and immunological benefits that a monkey may gain from drinking their own milk. Finally, self-suckling may have a stress-releasing effect on the mothers who have lost their infants.

Death among primates: a critical review of non‐human primate interactions towards their dead and dying

“…In captive siamangs ( Symphalangus syndactylus ), Orgeldinger () reported significant behavioural changes in the male and female of a pair following the death of their infant, with increased levels of play, bonding, and sexual and agonistic behaviours and decreased territorial behaviours. Majolo & McFarland () report self‐suckling in wild Barbary macaques after the loss of their infants, suggesting that it may have a stress‐releasing function.…”

The dispersal dilemma among female mountain gorillas: Risk infanticide and gain protection

“…In the 3 days following the infanticide, she spent 5% and 12% of her time scratching and self‐grooming, respectively. This may parallel the stress‐relief self‐suckling behaviour performed by Macaca sylvanus females after losing their infants (Majolo and MacFarland 2009), and the higher body care levels suggested to be an indicator of social stress (Maestripieri et al., 1992).…”

Effects of feeding management and time of day on the occurrence of self‐suckling in dairy goats

“…Self‐suckling behaviour has been described in both wild animals and animals maintained in captivity (O'Brien 1982, Matsumoto‐Oda 1997, Lidfors and Isberg 2003, Bademkiran and others 2007, Majolo and McFarland 2009). The economic impact of this behaviour is considered high as it reduces milk yield and induces udder and teat damages (Bademkiran and others 2007).…”