Chimpanzees cracking nuts leave biologists who study them ‘baffled’

Chimpanzees can learn a new skill by observing each other, also called social learning.. The findings suggest that chimpanzees may have the capacity for cumulative cultural evolution, which has been considered a “uniquely human characteristic.”.

Research on social learning in chimpanzees not only sheds light on these apes’ ability to acquire complex skills, but also offers important implications for our understanding of human culture and animal behavior in general..

The results show that chimpanzees can learn advanced skills by observing their peers, suggesting surprising parallels to human social learning that have not yet been described..

This finding reinforces the idea that social learning is not exclusive to humans and raises fascinating questions about the similarities and differences in psychological learning mechanisms between species.

Understanding how animals, such as chimpanzees, learn and pass on knowledge to members of their species is crucial to understanding the evolution of human culture.. The study of animal behavior provides unique insight into exploring the origins and nature of culture, as well as challenging anthropocentric views of intelligence and society.

In addition, The extinction of species such as chimpanzees has serious consequences for our understanding and connection with the natural world.. These creatures are not alone valuable in itselfbut also They play a fundamental role in scientific research and in the understanding of ourselves as biological and cultural beings.

Ultimately, These types of studies remind us of the importance of preserving biological diversity and promoting the conservation of endangered species such as chimpanzees.not only to safeguard their biological heritage, but also their cultural heritage. Not only are the lives of these fascinating creatures at stake, but also our own understanding of the world and our place in it..

A new study confirmed that some specimens may be more efficient than others when using tools to split walnuts.

Now a study published today in the journal Nature Human Behavior reveals that Some chimpanzees are true experts in the art of nut cracking.. The research, which spans a quarter of a century, offers a solution An unprecedented look at the capabilities of these primates in their natural habitat.

The research team, led by biologist Sophie Berdugo, from the University of Oxford (United Kingdom), looked into an extensive analysis of almost 4,000 sessions in which chimpanzees crack nuts in the Bossou region, in Guinea. What they discovered is surprising: there are notable differences between individuals in their efficiency at performing this task..

Scientists have observed several groups of chimpanzees working hard to access the nutritious inside of a nut. Some achieve this with impressive skillwhile in others, of the same age and gender, it may take twice as long. This variation is neither incidental nor temporary, but rather seems to be a constant characteristic of every individual.

Acquired skills that improve with age in chimpanzees

The researchers evaluated several aspects of this skill, such as the duration of each attempt, the accuracy of the hits and the success rate. Interestingly enough, they found that most of these skills improve with ageand they reach their peak around age 11.

To the authors of the work, It is as if chimpanzees go through a natural ‘school’ of cracking nuts.perfecting his technique over time.

This discovery is interesting not only from the point of view of scientific curiosity. It has important implications for our understanding of the evolution and the cognitive developmentgiven that This ability to use resources efficiently can mean the difference between a good meal and going hungry in the wild..

Extensive observation period of this ‘fascinating’ phenomenon

The research is notable for its long observation period, which is unusual for this type of research. This allows scientists to be confident that the observed differences are real and not the result of chance or temporary circumstances.

Now the authors wonder what’s behind these individual differences. Are these variations in cognitive skills, motor skills or perhaps a combination of both? These questions open the door to future work that could reveal even more about the fascinating minds of these primates..

“Like humans, each chimpanzee is unique, with its own strengths and abilities.”, remember the experts. Maybe the next time we struggle to crack open a particularly difficult nut, we’ll feel a little more connected to our closest evolutionary relatives.