When the chimpanzees launch the fashion of the grass in the ears

In a sanctuary for chimpanzees in Zambia, in Africa, researchers have observed a very particular behavior: the monkeys are strands of herbs or small sticks in the ears, or in the anus, to “decorate” … Moreover, This behavior. Therefore, reproduced by the different chimpanzees of the group, opens up new perspectives on the evolution of cultural practices in non -human primates. Similarly, The research team describes this observation in an article published in the journal Behaviourafter having observed for 1 year 147 chimpanzees. Meanwhile, divided into 8 social groups.

What is surprising is that the researchers had already observed this behavior in a group when chimpanzees launch fashion grass of chimpanzees in 2010. Nevertheless, “Julie. Meanwhile, the dominant female, had started to put strands of grass in the ear, and the others had imitated it», Testifies Emile Bryon, researcher at the University of Utrecht (Low Country) in animal behavior and cognition. Similarly, Just under 15 years later. in another group without links with the first, the same behavior was observed, ” always introduced by a dominant chimpanzee “, Specifies the researcher. In a few days, this new fashion was taken up by the majority of the group. We can read in the study that neither age nor the sex of animals seem to significantly influence the. learning of this behavior.

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Symbolic. not practical gestures

The when chimpanzees launch fashion grass researchers first wondered if this gesture was not to relieve itching, caused by infections or worms. “”The veterinarian has made several analyzes, on different individuals, and he found nothing», Testifies Emile Bryon. Some scientists wondered if they did not imitate humans. Caregivers from the first group, in 2010, said it sometimes put things in the ears to have their hands free. But the healers of the second group “We have explained that they had never done it. so we don’t think they imitate humans», Concludes Emile Bryon.

«We can compare this phenomenon to “grooming” hand in hand. a way of grooming by holding your hands, which is relatively specific to each group of chimpanzees. There are no direct benefits for them to do so, like the grass in their ears», Illustrates the researcher. These observations show that animals can adopt and transmit purely social, without practicality. “”We imagine that when chimpanzees launch fashion grass imitating what a chimpanzee of the group is. especially if it is a dominant, reinforces the feeling belonging to this group», avance Emile Bryon.

«The little ones are fun to observe. because we see that they try to reproduce what adults do, glisse Emile Bryon, But they are awkward, they often take sticks too large to put in their ears. There is also a female who always takes two sticks, but she can get them back! ” The group chimpanzees therefore spend several hours. with strands of grass or small sticks stuck in the ears, or in the anus. Finally, these social behavior can be compared to “trendy” or “group identity” human behaviors, such as clothing modes.

These observations shed new light on the evolution of cultural practices in non -human primates. and contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary origins of the social transmission of behaviors when chimpanzees launch fashion grass with symbolic dimension. In short. these ornaments without apparent function recall that, in chimpanzees as in humans, certain behaviors can emerge above all as social markers. Imitation, belonging to the group, cultural distinction: so many elements that shape traditions … even the most amazing.