Chimpanzee's Culture.

In this week’s blog I tuned to Science Friday radio show online. The Friday segment that I listen to was about researchers observing wild chimpanzees in a rain forest. Chimps are widely considered as the most cultural animals in the wild.  In 1960 chimpanzees were seen using a long stick to fish for termites. They must have an adaptive culture in order to survive in the wild and they continue to adapt very well as a group. A study last month in nature showed that chimps can be violent just like humans and kill each other. It has been observed that their violence is not cultural in their groups. Chimp’s violence is more than likely due to psychological behavior. Chimpanzees do have the ability to learn socially from each other.

The chimps that were being monitored lived in a rain forest where water was trapped in small holes. To retrieve water they usually use leaves as sponges to get the water out of these holes to drink. The researchers reporting used a statistical model to show that chimps that saw another chimp use a new water drinking tool were 15 times more likely to adopt the new tool themselves. These things are done naturally by the chimps. When a chimp comes up with a new tool the concept spreads throughout their group. A higher end chimp is more likely to lead other chimps to new tools and techniques. Chimpanzee’s instincts and techniques can be better observed from watching them in the wild then capturing them.

Science Friday!

Science Friday is broadcast on many radio shows on Fridays from 2-4 p.m. Eastern Time. Science Friday can be listened to online and they also have an app available for phones. I recommend you all to tune in on a Friday for news and entertaining stories about science.