Nasal probe and toothpick tool use by a wild female bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus)

Researchers document the first observation of probe tool use by a wild adult female bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus) at Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil. The individual employed stick tools and grass stems to probe her nostrils, often eliciting sneezes, and used sticks to clean her teeth or gums. These self-directed behaviors—dubbed 'nasal probe' and 'toothpick'—have not been previously reported in wild capuchins. While male capuchins at the site commonly use tools for foraging, this female's novel actions expand the known behavioral repertoire of the species. The study highlights idiosyncratic tool-use patterns in wild primates, offering new insights into cognitive and behavioral flexibility.

Haslam, M., & Falótico, T. (2015). Nasal probe and toothpick tool use by a wild female bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus). Primates, 56(3), 211–214. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-015-0470-6