Introduction To Chimpanzee Tool Transfer
Chimpanzees have been observed exhibiting complex behaviors, including the use of tools to extract food and solve problems. A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology has shed light on the ways in which adult chimpanzees teach their youngsters to use tools, by literally handing them the tools to learn tricky techniques. This behavior, known as tool transfer, has been observed in wild western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Senegal.
Background And Methodology
The study, conducted by researchers from the Jane Goodall Institute Spain and the University of Barcelona, analyzed almost 15 hours of footage from camera traps taken between 2017 and 2025. The camera traps were installed at 14 sites where chimpanzees were known to use tools, including fishing for algae, army ants, and fungus-growing termites. The researchers also gathered 30 minutes of footage from cameras at 11 sites where chimpanzees habitually carry baobab fruit, which they pound against stationary stone "anvils." The team recorded 33 instances of tool transfer from one chimpanzee to another, as well as four instances in which chimpanzees handed over fruit.
Findings And Implications
The study found that most of the tool transfers occurred in the context of ant dipping, with 58% of the instances happening during this activity. The majority of the original owners were adults, especially females, while the largest percentage of recipients were infants. The majority of objects were handed over from one relative to another, most frequently from mother to offspring. The researchers believe that tool transfers are a form of teaching that experienced chimpanzees may use to facilitate the learning of young individuals. This behavior is considered an important aspect of chimpanzee social learning and may play a key role in the acquisition of technological skills.
Comparison With Other Studies
Other studies have shown that chimpanzees are capable of passing on knowledge to others, and that they can learn from observation and supervised practice. For example, a study in Uganda found an increase in the number of chimps using moss as a sponge to soak up water from a pond. Work with captive chimps has also shown that the animals can pass on knowledge to others. However, the current study provides unique footage of tool transfer in wild chimpanzees, supporting the idea that teaching helps immature chimps acquire technological skills.
Conclusion And Future Outlook
The study provides important insights into the ways in which chimpanzees learn and teach each other to use tools. The findings suggest that tool transfer is an important aspect of chimpanzee social learning and may play a key role in the acquisition of technological skills. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of tool transfer and its implications for our understanding of chimpanzee behavior and cognition. The study's findings also have implications for our understanding of the evolution of human technology and the role of teaching in the development of complex behaviors.
Sources
This is an original synthesis by Qivorane based on reporting from the outlets below.
