Sicotte, PascaleBrent, Lauren Johanna Nicole2017-12-182017-12-1820050494053887http://hdl.handle.net/1880/103500Bibliography: p. 99-110The function of primate infant handling is debated, and characterizations of its expression in many species are required. We described natal attraction and infant handling for five Colobus vellerosus infants from 1-16 weeks of age. Ten-minute focal animal samples collected 91.8 hours of observation. Immature females were most attracted to infants. Infants were sometimes handled roughly. We used these data to evaluate the socioecological model of infant handling. A sixth infant was attacked by members of an all-male band. We compared handling of all infants to determine the impact of infanticidal threat. Our data suggest C. vellerosus females handle infants for maternal experience and because they are innately attracted to do so. Mothers spent more time feeding with their infants off-contact, suggesting another possible function of infant handling. The attacked infant was carried less by group members. C. vellerosus infants may fall victim to infanticide more often when away from their mothers.viii, 110 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.master thesis10.11575/PRISM/2499AC1 .T484 2005 B74