Biologists observe gorillas using tools

Mr. Pessimistic

Quote:

For the first time, biologists have documented gorillas in the wild using simple tools, such as poking a stick in a swampy pool of water to check its depth.

Until now, scientists had seen gorillas use tools only in captivity. Among the great apes, tool use in the wild was thought to be a survival skill reserved for smaller chimpanzees and orangutans.

NOW...lets see if they develop religion and start killing each other over it!

::171

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Keith and Company · Experienced Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 135 Gender:

Quote:
Tools - Not only for Humans anymore!

Oh, come on. I was arguing with my teacher 30 years ago about animals using tools.
He made a statement about why he thought humans shouldn't be classed with primates, mainly because of tools.

I asked if seagulls counted, when they dropped clams in parking lots or on piers to break the shells.
No, because they're just taking advantage of gravity.

I asked if otters counted, when they pick rocks to beat shells against.
No, they're not shaping anything.

How about bird's? They shape nests.
No, they're just piling stuff up.
You've never tried to shake a bird's nest apart, i see. But what about weaver birds? Their shelters are sewn together.
No, because they're still dumb birds.

AHA! I said, or words to that effect...

Later, in the principal's office, i realized that he wasn't interested in finding the truth as much as maintaining the truth he already 'knew,' either by rejecting, restating or discrediting any countering evidence.

Suddenly, my problems with The Church became clear....

Chris OConnor

Keith

I had teachers like that too.

Chris

Mr. Pessimistic

Keith_ that was just a witty line for the link...but great thoughts on the matter!

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Edited by: misterpessimistic at: 10/1/05 5:54 pm

Keith and Company · Experienced Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 135 Gender:

Quote:
that was just a witty line for the link

Yeah, i realized that after i posted. I thought itwas the headline at the link, reacted before i read the link. It certainly sounds like a headline someone'd use...

Yeah, if only i'd known then about chimps trimming twigs off branches to get termites, or ravens twisting bits of wire to tease food out of cracks.

Keith’s Place

tarav

Tool use and the ability to plan ahead have often been touted as uniquely human characteristics. It has always amazed me that anyone who is around animals for any length of time could maintain such assertions. Tool use has long been substantiated in chimps, thanks in large part to Jane Goodall. I am glad that tool use in other apes has been documented in the wild. The more documentation, the more chance that people(like Keith's teacher) who are still holding onto the idea that humans are unique in respect to tool use, will have to consider changing their minds. In my opinion, tool use also disproves the idea that other animals can't plan ahead. Certainly, while you're making the tool you are thinking about how you will use it later.

ADO15 · Intern Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 189 Gender:

I remember as a child seeing a piece of film (could have been Attenborough, but might have been Goodall) showing chimps using sticks to get termites out of a mound. It had a very profound effect on my thinking about our relationship to the world.

_________________________________________________________

Il Sotto Seme La Neva

Mr. Pessimistic

Ado:

Me too. I remember seeing footage on that as well and I was very taken with how similar we are to these beings. There is a fine line that we like to imagine is a mile wide...

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Keith and Company · Experienced Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 135 Gender:

Yeah, but then i saw a chimp in a dress, and thanked chaos we'd evolved away from that....

Keith’s Place

Mr. Pessimistic

I dont get it...Chimps in dresses...

Whats not to like?

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper


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