Chimpanzees Try Out New Fad

A group of chimpanzees have begun trying out a new style where they put a blade of grass in their ears. The trend was started by a chimp named Julie in 2010, and was quickly picked up by other chimps. The scientists studying them have determined that there are no practical reasons for this behavior, and it is purely cultural. 

One of the Zambian chimps wearing the grass blade on November 11,

      2014. (Liz Simon, National Geographic).

After Julie put a blade of grass in her ear, other chimps in Zambia’s Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust Sanctuary started to copy her. Even after Julie died, members of the group continued with the practice.

Research Implications

Lead researcher Edwin van Leeuwen said that “the fact that these behaviors can be arbitrary and outlast the originator speaks to the cultural potential of chimpanzees.” This may indeed be proof that chimpanzees are capable of forming their own cultures.

Human Connections

van Leeuwen said that “the grass-in-ear behavior is not far removed from a human fad. I’d say this could be the equivalent of people wearing earrings or certain kinds of hats.” He went on to say that humans would not have elements of modern society without one of our ancestors coming up with an idea and passing it on.

Chimps in Action

Here is the video of the chimpanzees doing what they do best.

Study

For more information, you can read the study right here: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-014-0766-8

So what do you all think about this? Leave comments.