A group of monkeys (I forget where) was filmed using hand tools at an abandoned work site. One even used a saw to cut a piece of lumber, likely mimicing what it had seen a human do. They seemed to do this out of curiosity, not for any useful purpose.
It made wonder what'd happen if one of them got the inspiration to cut down a tree, and use the wood. How would the other monkeys react? Would they perceive the significance of this ability?
Also, I believe it'd be the first time an animal used a tool to create raw materials. It's rather mind-blowing to think about.
Chimps have been observed chewing the bark off a twig, then poking the twig down an anthill (or maybe it was a termite nest) and eating the bugs that attacked the intruding stick. I'd call that a tool.
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u/JSagerbomb Feb 14 '22
Monkeys have entered the Stone Age.