Chimps Use Tool Kit

Wannabe Code Monkey writes "This article on National Geographic describes how scientists have observed chimps using different sticks for different tasks when retrieving termites from nests. Scientists had previously only seen chimps using one kind of tool, this switching back and forth based on the task at hand is the first such behavior witnessed. Three videos in Real format of the chimps are linked from the article as well."

Comments

Does this mean chimps like the UNIX philosophy?

[xutopia]

Even chimps apply the general idea behind the first point of the UNIX philosophy: "Make each program do one thing well. To do a new job, build afresh rather than complicate old programs by adding new features."

I knew chimps were smart but not that smart! :)

Specific groups ...

[gstoddart]

Every time I've seen any coverage of tool-using chimps (OK, Discovery and National Geographic) they've highlighted that the tool usage among chimps is usually unique to a specific group of chimps and is learned behaviour.

If you put a chimp in a new place where certain types of tools get used, it won't 'know' that tool is the applicable one. Likewise, young chimps take a while to actually learn to use the tool for what they're trying to accomplish.

I wonder if this is a recently adapted tool by this group of chimps, or if this is a tool variation like most of the others that have been passed down within this group of chimps.

Nonetheless, it's interesting to get the insight as to how we might have developed/evolved our tool using capabilities.

Orangs and Siamangs

[TALlama]

At the San Diego Zoo, they have an exhibit called "Absolutely Apes" (which you can watch live. The exhibit has both Orangutans and Siamangs inside.

One of the "enrichment" items in the exhibit is a "terminte mound" made of concrete that the keepers put treats inside of: honey, barbecue sauce, etc.

The orangutans are smart enough to use tools like twigs to get the treats out, but the saimangs do not understand this concept.

This seems a tad unfair, but the siamangs are smart enough to wait until the orangutans get the goodies out, and then the smaller apes sneak up and steal the tasty twigs!