As I first began to observe the capuchin monkeys on the island, I noticed that all of the monkeys were in pairs and were each cleaning bugs off of the other. This looked like it was an efficient way to keep clean and even to remove parasites that could be deadly to the organism. The monkeys scratched themselves a lot throughout the entire observation. This may be a response to the environment that keeps them clean and free of any foreign materials that would hinder their reproduction/survival success. One monkey, in search for food, began digging at the base of one of the trees on the island. This is smart because this area would be high in insects compared to other areas. Later on, another monkey began digging up dirt to find bugs as well.

            The structure of the capuchin monkey allows them to be very fast and agile climbers. Therefore, in the observation, I recognized that the environment that the zoo provided for them was suitable to do a lot of climbing. Many of the monkeys climbed around and on the vines that were situated throughout the air. This adaptation that allows them to move freely throughout the air, could protect them from ground predators in their environment.

            Not only do these monkeys interact with the environment, but also interact with other animals of its same species located in the same environment. Two monkeys climbed among the vines and then jumped into a hammock in their environment. They then proceeded to play fight. After this event seemed to bore them, they began cleaning each other once again. While these two monkeys were doing their own thing, another monkey was scavenging around the rock structure in search of something (most likely food). This monkey then ran towards a different rock and used its hands to reach in and grab a handful of food. Next, the monkey, surprisingly, dumped the food into a puddle located near the rock. After a period of time had passed, it then picked the food out of thee water and began to consume it. For some reason, the monkey felt that it was necessary to have its food wet or soft! It then proceeded to climb a tree before gathering the remaining food and run back to the rock structure to hide and eat it. This may be a result of competition among the monkeys in which they feel they must protect their food individually. At this point in the observation, the monkeys are all independent and are individually doing their own things.

            I began to observe a particular monkey as it began to approach the water. However, the monkey decided to pick up a ball located near a rock and observe it as it sat on the rock. Then, the monkey rushed down from the rock and placed the ball into the water. While the ball was soaking in the water, it began to watch the birds of the surrounding area. The monkey went and got food out of the rock and, like the other monkey, placed it into the water. It returned to the ball and picked it up out of the water. At this point, I realized that there was food in the ball, the food had to become moist in order for the monkey to get it out. The monkey then washed its hands after it had completed its food habits. It placed the empty ball in its tail and actually carried it onto the rock located near the water! It gripped the ball with its tail by forming a J and inserting the ball within the curved part. A group of loud kids began to watch the monkeys at the end of the observation. However, just before I left, I noticed that the monkey had carried the ball down from its perched spot on the rock and was sitting at the waters edge. Not long after, I saw the monkey throw the ball in the direction of the kids and it actually hit the wall! The monkey either wanted to play, or was afraid of the laughing children. This is a great example of how animals directly react to their environment, regardless of what the environment is. I then concluded the observation.