Urbanization does not increase "object curiosity" in vervet monkeys, but semi-urban individuals selectively explore food-related anthropogenic items.

Urban environments expose animals to abundant anthropogenic materials and foods that facilitate foraging innovations in species with opportunistic diets and high behavioral flexibility. Neophilia and exploration tendency are believed to be important behavioral traits for animals thriving in urban environments. Vervet monkeys () are one of few primate species that have successfully adapted to urban environments, thus making them an ideal species to study these traits.