9/1/2023 0 Comments Chimpanzee and bonoboBonobos also have brain circuits that seem more predisposed to sharing, tolerance, negotiation and cooperation than chimpanzees. In experiments where various animals were presented with upside-down cups with a treat hidden under one of them, chimpanzees kept choosing the cups at random but bonobos (and dogs) looked to the human running the experiment for information on which cup was correct. And they demonstrate a willingness to help others obtain food even if they won’t get to share it.īonobos may even have better social intelligence than chimpanzees. They have also been observed sharing food with those outside of their group, perhaps to make new friends. Experiments at Lola ya Bonobo, a bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2010 show that when bonobos are put in adjacent rooms and one is given food, that bonobo would rather share the food than eat alone. Wirestock Creators/Shutterstockīonobos are also rather eager to share. While the alpha female is typically smaller than the males, all the females will rally around her to chase the males away should they turn aggressive.īonobos are known for their peace-loving nature. There is plenty of sexual play and grooming reminiscent of our own free love movements in hippie culture. For instance, the prospect of food can stir chimpanzees into a hostile frenzy, but bonobos take a more harmonious approach and will gather for what often turns into a polyamorous picnic. In bonobo communities, sexual relations play an important role in maintaining relationships and resolving conflicts. Indeed, human societies tend to be matriarchal when there is little direct competition for resources. Unlike the male-dominated groups of chimpanzees, bonobos live in peaceful communities where the chief is female. Which, considering their reputation as amicable apes, is good news for us. Once overlooked, researchers are recognising bonobos as more similar than chimpanzees to humans. Increasingly, research is actually showing how cooperative chimpanzees can be. So some scientists may have overemphasised this trait. Mulcahy, co-director at the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in the US, believes aggression only “makes up a very small part of their daily activity”. Chimps can also help us learn about the circumstances that might encourage aggression, such as when rivals are outnumbered or when positions in the status hierarchy are being negotiated. One argument scientists have made is that these warlike tendencies are hardwired in us the same way they are hardwired in chimpanzees, which challenges the view that wars are a man-made phenomenon. They bit and ripped out Yeroen’s testicles and the loss of blood killed him. Dutch primate expert Frans de Waal’s 1982 book Chimpanzee Politics included a colourful description of how Luit and Nikkie, two young male chimpanzees, allied to violently usurp Yeroen, the alpha male. Chimpanzees “go ape” and attack each other in coordinated assaults. However, one disturbing characteristic stands out. ![]() An array of human characteristics, including empathy, playfulness and respect for elders have since been attributed to our shared ancestry with chimpanzees. This finding paved the way for research on chimpanzees as a lens to understand which human aspects are natural rather than socially conditioned. We share a common ancestor with them as well as anatomical features, complex social hierarchies and problem-solving skills.īonobos may be one of our closest cousins but chimpanzees dominated research after Jane Goodall discovered in the 1960s that chimpanzees make and use tools. To try to explain these conflicting tendencies, researchers have turned to the chimpanzees and the bonobos for insight.Īmong the great apes, the chimpanzees and the bonobos are the most genetically related to us as we share about 98.7% of our DNA with them. We work together well at times and at others we will fight to get our own way. ![]() Humans are an interesting mixture of altruism and competition.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |