Grooming refers to the process by which an individual cleans its own body or the body of others using its hands or mouth. Grooming is widespread among primates. In this study, we investigated social grooming and auto-grooming behavior in a wild population of Tibetan macaques(Macaca thibetana), inhabiting Huangshan Mountain, Anhui Province, China. From July to December, 2019, behavioral data were collected using a focal sampling animal method. The results showed that the frequency and duration of social grooming were significantly higher than auto-grooming. Auto-grooming was generally accomplished using two-hands or one-hand, while social grooming principally involved the use of two-hands. Auto-grooming was directed to the legs, thighs and forearms, while social grooming focused on the back, face, arms and flanks. The selection of body parts during auto-grooming was strongly random, whereas there was a marked preferencein the body parts during social grooming. Tibetan macaques preferred initiating social grooming either on their partner's back or face, whereas the last part of the body allogroomed was the back. The results identified significant differences in behavior patterns, process, and site selection during auto-grooming and social grooming in wild Tibetan macaques. It appears that the process of social grooming reflects changing characteristics of the social relationship of the grooming partners, and offers critical insight into the social functions of grooming behavior.
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