Exploration and Social Play in Squirrel Monkeys (Saimiri)

Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri) have been studied in a variety of laboratory and natural environments. The frequency and form of exploration and social play vary considerably among different environments. For example, in some environments, young monkeys have been observed to play for 3 hr per day; but in one natural environment, not a single bout of social play was seen during a 10-week intensive study. Numerous intermediate levels of play activity have been observed. Whereas many theories of play make it appear that play is essential for the development of sexual behavior, integrated roles in troop structure, control of aggressive responses, social cohesion, etc., the data on squirrel monkeys indicate that social organization and many normal social behaviors can develop without social play. However, the opportunity to play socially provides learning experiences that increase the variety of each animal's behavioral repertoire and the subtly of social cues to which it can respond. An adaptive modicum of competence can appear without social play, but the opportunity to play socially develops the competence of animals beyond that modicum.