Chimps Use Tool Kit 44
Wannabe Code Monkey writes "This article on National Geographic describes how scientists have observed chimps using different sticks for different tasks when retrieving termites from nests. Scientists had previously only seen chimps using one kind of tool, this switching back and forth based on the task at hand is the first such behavior witnessed. Three videos in Real format of the chimps are linked from the article as well."
well put a lock on it then! (Score:1, Funny)
No surprise ... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:No surprise ... (Score:1, Funny)
Does this mean chimps like the UNIX philosophy? (Score:3, Interesting)
I knew chimps were smart but not that smart! :)
Re:Does this mean chimps like the UNIX philosophy? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Does this mean chimps like the UNIX philosophy? (Score:2)
Which toolkit, though? (Score:3, Funny)
Talk about a code monkey...
Re:Which toolkit, though? (Score:2)
The chimp starts off by taking his raw tool and inheriting the "Stick Class". If he wants to dig with it (I/O) he has to inherit the "Dig" class and communications are through the "Wave") class. It's also got hooks for Security via the "Poke" and "Swing" classes.
Re:Which toolkit, though? (Score:1)
Duh!
Re:Which toolkit, though? (Score:1)
From what I understand, they use the Chimp Toolkit.
They use Dot NET (Score:1)
That was WAY too easy...
levels of intelligence... (Score:4, Funny)
This also reminds me of that old headline at The Onion: "Dolphins Develop Thumbs: 'Oh Shit,' say Humans"
Re:levels of intelligence... (Score:5, Insightful)
My dad always told me that "A dog will warm himself by the fire, but will never throw another log on it."
Hmm, and when he made this observation were you usually flaked out on the couch instead of out mowing the lawn or the like?
Nothing like subtle digs from dad.
Re:levels of intelligence... (Score:2)
This also reminds me of that old headline at The Onion: "Dolphins Develop Thumbs: 'Oh Shit,' say Humans"
For those googling, try the actual headline: "Dolphins Evolve Opposable Thumbs: 'Oh, Shit,' Says Humanity"
Re:levels of intelligence... (Score:2)
For those who want to see the article [theonion.com], it's gone into the archives at the onion so you won't be able to view it without a premium account.
However, for those without a premium account, here's a link to the article [archive.org] courtesy of archive.org
Throwing a dog on the fire (Score:2)
Several times I read "A dog will warm himself by the fire, but will never throw another log on it" as "never throw another dog on it" and so was infering that DaddyWanker was claiming dogs could make the moral distinction between inanimate fuel and other dogs, or maybe claiming that dogs are innately more moral than human arsonists if not crematorium operators.
Most dogs I've k
Specific groups ... (Score:5, Interesting)
If you put a chimp in a new place where certain types of tools get used, it won't 'know' that tool is the applicable one. Likewise, young chimps take a while to actually learn to use the tool for what they're trying to accomplish.
I wonder if this is a recently adapted tool by this group of chimps, or if this is a tool variation like most of the others that have been passed down within this group of chimps.
Nonetheless, it's interesting to get the insight as to how we might have developed/evolved our tool using capabilities.
Ford (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Ford (Score:2)
It's about time (Score:5, Funny)
Which toolkit do chimps prefer? (Score:3, Funny)
Orangs and Siamangs (Score:3, Interesting)
One of the "enrichment" items in the exhibit is a "terminte mound" made of concrete that the keepers put treats inside of: honey, barbecue sauce, etc.
The orangutans are smart enough to use tools like twigs to get the treats out, but the saimangs do not understand this concept.
This seems a tad unfair, but the siamangs are smart enough to wait until the orangutans get the goodies out, and then the smaller apes sneak up and steal the tasty twigs!
They're lying!!! (Score:1)
Re:They're lying!!! (Score:1)
What I Want to Know... (Score:2)
obligatory.. (Score:1, Redundant)
Training the youngsters (Score:1)
"No, no, no. This one is for the termites. That one is for the ladies."
I own that. (Score:2)
Hey. I have a patent on retrieving insects with small sticks. I filed for it just after my first experience using chopsticks.
I'm going to sue the crap out of those monkeys. They can't go using my stick-poker-kill-bug technique...
It's called Evolution! (Score:1)
All life is getting smarter - surpirse!
.
-shpoffo
flip-flopping?! (Score:3, Funny)
This is proof that chimps [bushorchimp.com] flip-flop!!
Bird-brains (Score:3, Insightful)
Among the behaviors noted in birds:
- Making hooks and combs, then carrying the tools around with them -- and sharing them with others.
- Using car traffic to crack nuts.
- Raiding mountaineer food caches marked with flags.
- Counting and expressing their desires in words.
- Playing around with speed dial buttons and speakerphones.
- Leading other birds to food.
- Commercial transactions with people.
Of course, not all birds do all these things. But, they must be considered in the same ballpark as chimps and dolphins.Re:Bird-brains (Score:2)
Do they take MasterCard?
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Dell (Score:4, Funny)
Read Scientific American (Score:1)
slashdot is really degrading lately......
Look in the mirror... (Score:1)