I agree with Urbane - the stick is a cautious way for these chimps to explore without risking a precious finger. It's also fun to see the less adventurous one hiding behind the tree
This is just FASCINATING! Truly. I don't think she thought this was a termite mound since it would have been a smaller stick. However, IMO Tyro, you must be correct - she sees a dark hole and naturally she is going to check it out the logical way, with a stick. Remember, these are WILD chimpanzees, this isn't some zoo or a sanctuary. I love it - she even smells it to see if she can figure out what it is. Getting a close look at her eyes...how can one not feel similarities to a human?
@UrbaneGent It is a termite mound. Chimps actually uses two kinds of sticks for termite fishing. A rigid one to dig the hole, and a more "brushy" one for the actual fishing.
I wonder if they think the camera is a hole, and they expect termites to be in there, or assume its some sort of eye. Must be kinda mind boggling to have the stick incapable of reaching into the "hole" haha. Really neat!
What a smart animal.
OceanicLyfe 1 year ago
I agree with Urbane - the stick is a cautious way for these chimps to explore without risking a precious finger. It's also fun to see the less adventurous one hiding behind the tree
KristaOrangutan 1 year ago 2
@KristaOrangutan Yeah, but the other one still seems very interested about what his friend is doing.
sixdaysgone 7 months ago
Aren't those bonobos?
dsbnh 2 years ago
@dsbnh Nope, bonobos are indeed black but have distinctive pink lips (and other different features BTW)
sixdaysgone 7 months ago
@sixdaysgone Ah, thanks for the clarification.
dsbnh 7 months ago
@dsbnh Yeah, it's kinda hard to spot the difference.
sixdaysgone 7 months ago
Chimps are such curious creatures. I love watching them trying to figure something out.
bookishfilly 2 years ago
This is just FASCINATING! Truly. I don't think she thought this was a termite mound since it would have been a smaller stick. However, IMO Tyro, you must be correct - she sees a dark hole and naturally she is going to check it out the logical way, with a stick. Remember, these are WILD chimpanzees, this isn't some zoo or a sanctuary. I love it - she even smells it to see if she can figure out what it is. Getting a close look at her eyes...how can one not feel similarities to a human?
UrbaneGent 2 years ago 2
@UrbaneGent It is a termite mound. Chimps actually uses two kinds of sticks for termite fishing. A rigid one to dig the hole, and a more "brushy" one for the actual fishing.
sixdaysgone 7 months ago
I wonder if they think the camera is a hole, and they expect termites to be in there, or assume its some sort of eye. Must be kinda mind boggling to have the stick incapable of reaching into the "hole" haha. Really neat!
TheTyro 2 years ago