Chimpanzee and Red Colobus: The Ecology of Predator and Prey [Hardcover]

A detailed, but entertaining analysis of the evolutionary whys, behavioural ecology wherefores and natural history hows of a fascinating predator-prey system. Suitable for undergraduates and above, the wealth of detail makes it hard to believe that, until two decades ago, chimps were thought of as entirely peaceful vegetarians. Just read Craig Stanford's Chimpanzee and Red Colobus to discover how wrong we all were. New Scientist This is a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the predator-prey relationship between chimpanzees and red colobus monkeys in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. While researchers generally focus on predation from the point of view of the hunter, Craig Stanford is unique on addressing predation from the point of view of both predator and prey...This is an excellent reference manual on chimpanzees as hunters and their impact on the behaviour, ecology and demography of their prey. It is clearly written and well organised, and the latest chapter provides a concise and comprehensive summary-conclusion. Figures and tables are easy to follow and, together with the text, reveal the meticulous detail in which the author addressed the questions of interest. This is an important contribution to primatology. -- Jennifer Scott Biologist [Chimpanzee and Red Colobus is a ] study of how the predation of wild chimps influences and shapes the behaviour and ecology of a group of red colobus monkeys, offering clues as to how early humans may have lived. BBC Wildlife --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

"[C]learly written and well organised,... the latest chapter provides a concise and comprehensive summary-conclusion...[A]n important contribution to primatology." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

This text provides a detailed account of a predator-prey relationship involving two primates, documents a six-year investigation into how the risk of predation molds primate society. It explores how predation by wild chimpanzees - in the Gombe National Park - has influenced the behaviour, ecology, and demography of a population of red colobus monkeys. As he explores the effects of chimpanzees' hunting, Craig Stanford also asks why these creatures prey on the red colobus. Because chimpanzees are often used as models of how early humans might have lived. These findings offer insight into the possible role of early hominids as predators.

Craig B. Stanford is Professor in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Anthropology at the University of Southern California. Richard W. Wrangham is Ruth Moore Professor of Anthropology at Harvard University. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.