# Social risk to infant: The role of kin for maternal visual monitoring in Tibetan macaques

## TL;DR

Tibetan macaque mothers adjust how much they watch their infants based on social risks, infant age, and the presence of other monkeys.

## Contribution

This study reveals how Tibetan macaque mothers adapt their monitoring behavior in response to social risks and infant needs.

## Key findings

- Higher-ranking mothers spend less time monitoring their infants compared to lower-ranking mothers.
- Mothers with male infants monitor more than those with female infants.
- The presence of non-kin males increases maternal monitoring time and frequency.

## Abstract

Maternal monitoring of conspecifics is a crucial anti‐predator strategy that also protects infants against risks within the social group. This study examines how maternal characteristics, infant characteristics, mother–infant distance, and the social environment affect maternal monitoring behaviors in free‐ranging Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). We observed 12 females with infants and analyzed their visual monitoring patterns. Our findings indicate that maternal rank significantly influences the time allocated to maternal visual monitoring, higher‐ranking mothers spending less time than lower‐ranking mothers. Maternal experience also played a role in monitoring strategies. Differences in monitoring strategies were observed based on maternal experience: first‐time mothers (primiparity) engaged in longer but less frequent monitoring sessions compared to experienced mothers (multiparity). The time and frequency of maternal monitoring decreased as infants aged, and mothers with male infants showed higher levels of monitoring than those with female infants. The distance between mother and infant also affected visual monitoring behavior, with mothers increasing their monitoring levels when infants were nearby (1–5 m), rather than within reach (0–1 m) or beyond nearby (>5 m). Additionally, the presence of kin and non‐kin influenced monitoring: as the number of nearby kin increased, monitoring levels decreased, while the presence of more non‐kin males led to an increase in monitoring time, and higher‐ranking non‐kin neighbors increased the frequency of monitoring. These results suggest that Tibetan macaque mothers can adapt their visual monitoring to the social risks faced by their infants, adjusting their strategies to their status and the needs of their offspring.

In this study, we investigated how the effects of maternal characteristics, infant characteristics, mother–infant distance, and social environment on maternal monitoring behaviors in a group of free‐ranging Tibetan macaques. Our results indicate that Tibetan macaque mothers possess the ability to adapt their level of visual monitoring in response to the social risks faced by their infants, and can adjust their monitoring strategies to their own and infant conditions.