Chimpanzees making and using spears

[ughaibu]

I just came across this but have to go out for a few hours, so haven't yet read it: BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Chimpanzees 'hunt using spears'

[Jay-qu]

hmm seems a little suss, while they say "chimps where observed jabbing the spears into hollow trunks or branches, over and over again." on 13 occasions, they have no photos/video of this happening - why wouldnt they?

[maikeru]

I read about this on Yahoo news. I'm surprised and not surprised at the same time. They're very clever, innovative, and quick at learning. The leap from getting termites and ants out with a stick or leaf and hurting a bushbaby with a "spear" may not be that big.

But I'm still waiting for them to spontaneously produce some works of Shakespeare by tapping on typewriters. Any hope of that?

[infamous]

Originally Posted by Jay-qu

hmm seems a little suss, while they say "chimps where observed jabbing the spears into hollow trunks or branches, over and over again." on 13 occasions, they have no photos/video of this happening - why wouldnt they?

Good point Jay-qu, but then again, the world is just full of wonders. I suspect we should now be awaiting the Chimpanzee industrial revolution. Why......, they may be on the verge of manufacturing their own M-16's before you know it.

Planet of the Apes.......................................Infy

[Vagabond -SC2-]

I have seen films in the past of some primate or other using a stick to gather up bugs and then pick them off and eat them. There are other animals that use things. The Sea otter uses rocks to bash open its food and birds drop shell fish on hard pavements to break them open. there are others I am sure.

[gribbon]

It doesn't surprise me, mainly because the idea that monkeys in Africa adapted to ground conditions is nothing new.

If you ever see a video/photo showing chimps scampering around on the ground, you can immediately presume that they are soemwhere in Africa, because this is how they evolved. As mentioned in the article, using spears is just an extension of this.