Virtual environment software is increasingly being employed as a non-invasive method in primate cognition research. Familiar and novel stimuli can be presented in new ways, opening the door to studying aspects of cognition in captivity which previously may not have been feasible. Despite the increased complexity of visual input compared to more traditional computerised studies, several groups of captive primates have now been trained to navigate virtual three-dimensional environments. Here, we outline a method for training primates to use a computerised virtual foraging task presented on a touchscreen. We document how to tailor this method to groups facing different training challenges. We present data from three groups: touchscreen-experienced chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), touchscreen-naïve orang-utans (Pongo abelii), and chimpanzees tested in a group setting. Subjects from all groups mastered basic navigation challenges with relative ease (some in as little as 16 days), setting them up for systematic studies of primate cognition within virtual environments. The training method we present is flexible, yet structured, and we encourage other researchers to adapt it to implement virtual environment research with more individuals and across more species.

Emma S McEwen

Matthias Allritz

Josep Call

Sarah E Koopman

Emilie Rapport Munro

Cristóbal J Bottero Cantuarias

Charles R Menzel

Francine L Dolins

Karline R L Janmaat

Kenneth Schweller

Behavioural Processes

BEHAVIORAL PROCESSES 致力于从任何理论角度发表关于动物行为的高质量原创研究。它欢迎从行为分析、认知、行为学、生态和进化的角度考虑动物行为的贡献。这份清单并非详尽无遗，特别欢迎整合跨学科理论和方法论的论文。

Behavioural Processes is dedicated to publishing high-quality original research on animal behavior from any theoretical perspective. Contributions are welcomed from the fields of behavioral analysis, cognition, ethology, ecology, and evolution. We particularly encourage papers that integrate interdisciplinary theories and methodologies.

《Behavioural Processes》致力于发表关于动物行为的高质量原创研究，欢迎从行为分析、认知、行为学、生态和进化等多个理论角度进行贡献。我们特别鼓励整合跨学科的理论和方法论的论文。

Category	Quartile
生物学	4
生物学, 动物学	3
生物学, 行为科学	4
生物学, 心理学生物	4

Training primates to forage in virtual 3D environments

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