Posted on 02/22/2007 11:16:27 AM PST by Abathar
Chimpanzees in Senegal have been observed making and using wooden spears to hunt other primates, according to a study in the journal Current Biology. Researchers documented 22 cases of chimps fashioning tools to jab at smaller primates sheltering in cavities of hollow branches or tree trunks.
The report's authors, Jill Pruetz and Paco Bertolani, said the finding could have implications for human evolution.
Chimps had not been previously observed hunting other animals with tools.
Pruetz and Bertolani made the discovery at their research site in Fongoli, Senegal, between March 2005 and July 2006.
"There were hints that this behavior might occur, but it was one time at a different site," said Jill Pruetz, assistant professor of anthropology at Iowa State University, US.
"While in Senegal for the spring semester, I saw about 13 different hunting bouts. So it really is habitual."
Jabbing weapon
Chimpanzees were observed jabbing the spears into hollow trunks or branches, over and over again. After the chimp removed the tool, it would commonly smell or lick it.
In the vast majority of cases, the chimps used the tools in the manner of a spear, not as probes. The researchers say they were using enough force to injure an animal that may have been hiding inside.
In one case, Pruetz and Bertolani witnessed a chimpanzee extract a bushbaby with a spear.
In most cases, the Fongoli chimpanzees carried out four or more steps to manufacture spears for hunting.
In all but one of the cases, chimps broke off a living branch to make their tool. They would then trim the side branches and leaves.
In a number of cases, chimps also trimmed the ends of the branch and stripped it of bark. Some chimps also sharpened the tip of the tool with their teeth.
Adult males have long been regarded as the hunters in chimp groups.
But the authors of the paper in Current Biology said females and juveniles were seen exhibiting this behaviour more frequently than adult males.
My god!!! is Britany involved here too.
Jake was interesting in getting out to spend time with a "honey" from down the street in Prior Lake.
I suppose the next thing we will hear is that they are using sani-cans.
What would you call breaking the stick off, stripping it down, and chewing it sharp and then using that end to stab a living creature to kill it?
American chimps can chuck spears while skating backwards, AND smoking a cigar.
USA! USA! USA!
LOL!
Seriously, though, it's not too surprising.
If a chimp can shoot a gun (And some can), making and using a spear shouldn't be seen as a major accomplishment for them.
ROFL!
Someday they may start using cigars.
"Use Tools - Feel Human"
"Wow, they'd overwhelm the French Army."
I suppose that puts them on par with Ewoks. They defeated the emperor's best legion of Storm troopers with pointy sticks. Who needs Jedi knights?
Oh glorious Spain! I can finally marry my chimp lover!!
"wooden spears"
Do they also shave their heads when they do this?
"Beware the beast man, for he is the Devil's pawn. Alone among God's primates, he kills for sport or lust or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother's land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him; drive him back into his jungle lair, for he is the harbinger of death."-Sacred scroll of the apes.
I used to know a clever horse who could unlock stalls...then once he had let all the others out, he would go and stand innocently in his own stall. "I didn't do it."
The owners of the barn found out by placing a camera at the barn door...they couldn't figure out who was getting into the barn at night to let the horses out. They never saw anyone go in or come out.
My own horse used to take the brush from my hand and, with an up and down motion of his head, he used to brush ME.
Still and all...we didn't evolve from horses, eh? Scientists keep hoping, don't they?
I remember when Jane Goodall first filmed chimps using sticks that they had peeled and shaped to dig termites out of crevices in rocks and trees...she was the first documented scientist I think to demolish the myth that only man made and used tools...prior to her findings the use of tools and burying the dead seemed to distinguish humans from aniamls...my guess is that man is still the only animal who buries his dead with tools and other objects for the afterlife.
There was an young man from Santee
Who molested she-chimps in a tree:
..The results, all quite horrid,
..All ass and no forehead,
Three balls and purple goatee.
That's just because the socialists want to broaden their voter base.
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