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Chimpanzees act as 'engineers', choosing materials to make tools based on structural and mechanical properties

Researchers have discovered that chimpanzees living in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania employ a degree of engineering when making their tools, deliberately choosing plants that provide materials that produce more flexible tools for termite fishing.


It's amazing what scientists can notice when they park their prejudices and actually pay attention.

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Date: 2025-03-26 08:43 pm (UTC)
From: [personal profile] acelightning2
Curiosity is a trait present in most animals, especially our closer relatives. So a curious ape will realize that a stiffer stem will make it easier to collect more termites, and will choose the kid of plant that provides the best stems. We may be curious, smart, talking apes but we don't have a monopoly on curiosity and inventiveness.

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