Prey transfer through delayed scrounging of a Rhipidomys rodent hunted by an alpha male Sapajus cay

Cebines’ unique foraging strategies, including opportunistic hunting, allow them to access food sources unavailable to other primates. Although instances of mammal predation have been documented in Sapajus species, reports of spontaneous food sharing and meat interaction remain rare. This study, using ad libitum observations, reports opportunistic hunting and delayed scrounging in a group of Sapajus cay in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. An alpha male was recorded capturing and consuming a rodent (Rhipidomys sp.). While consuming the prey, he dropped scraps that were collected by other group members through delayed scrounging. An estrous female followed the alpha male, exhibiting courtship behaviors but showing no interest in the prey. This event represents a rare observation of vertebrate consumption and passive food transfer in S. cay. These findings highlight the need for further behavioral studies on geographically restricted primate species like S. cay.