Chimpanzees: The toolmakers
One way or another, the group investigates everything around it. A log smelling odd is carefully sniffed and probed with a finger. A leaf may be plucked, scrutinized with the greatest care, and explored with the lower lip and gravely handed to others for a similar examination and then thrown away. The group may visit a termite hill. On the way there, an animal will break off a twig, trim it to a particular size and strip it of its leaves. On arrival at the termite hill it pokes the twig into one of the holes. When it pulls it out again, it is covered with soldier termites than have gripped it with their jaws in an attempt to defend the nest against the intrusion. The Chimpanzee draws the stem through its lips, taking off the insects and eating them with relish. Although other animals use tools, Chimpanzees like humans make tools.
Kanzi ,a bonobo chimp, making a stone flake tool that he will use to open a box of food
Kanzi's cutting flake Craft research center collection
