Social Hair Plucking’s Associations with Other Behaviors and Its Health Considerations, in Captive Rhesus Macaques ( <i>Macaca mulatta</i> )

The study on captive rhesus macaques explored social hair plucking (SHP) and its links to grooming, aggression, and health indicators like alopecia and hair cortisol levels. Conducted on 507 subjects across seven mixed-sex groups, it found SHP rates similar to grooming and aggression, with a directional rank flow akin to aggression and kin biases like grooming. SHP was more common among females and lower-ranked individuals, correlating with higher alopecia scores, suggesting health implications. While hair cortisol levels showed weak associations with SHP, the study highlighted SHP's complex social dynamics and potential role in social hierarchy, advocating for further research to understand its mechanisms and motivations.