Are Gorillas More Intelligent Than We Thought?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the intelligence of gorillas and their capacity for tool use, with references to similar behaviors in other primates. It explores observations of gorillas and chimpanzees using tools, the implications of these behaviors for understanding primate intelligence, and touches on evolutionary perspectives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant cites an instance of a female gorilla using a stick to test the depth of water, suggesting this indicates tool use and intelligence.
  • Another participant mentions observing apes using sticks to retrieve ants, indicating that tool use is not unique to gorillas.
  • Discussion includes examples of chimpanzees using sticks to crack open nuts, highlighting learned behavior from mothers to offspring.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the relevance of the topic to the forum's focus, questioning why it was not posted in the biology section.
  • A participant expresses a belief that gorillas could evolve into humans over time, reflecting a personal view on evolution.
  • Another participant shares an anecdote about monkeys reacting to a leopard mannequin, suggesting complex social behaviors in primates.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of interest and skepticism regarding the implications of tool use in gorillas and other primates. There is no consensus on the significance of these behaviors or their implications for understanding intelligence.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal beliefs about evolution and intelligence, which may not align with scientific consensus. The discussion includes varying levels of familiarity with the topic among participants.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in primate behavior, intelligence studies, and evolutionary biology may find the discussion relevant.

dduardo
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/29/AR2005092901934.html

"The first instance was observed last October when a female gorilla (nicknamed Leah by scientists) attempted to wade through a pool of water created by elephants, but found herself waist deep after only a few steps. Climbing out of the pool, she retrieved a branch from a dead tree and used the stick to test the depth of the water."

This is quite an amazing discovery. Who would have thought Gorillas were capable of using tools. Give them another million years and they could be building fire.
 
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Maybe it was another variety of ape, but I've seen footage of apes using small sticks to retrieve ants from the colony. They would insert the stick in the hole, allow the ants to cover the stick, then retract it and lick off the ants.
 
Why didn't you post it in biology forum anyway ? :rolleyes:
 
There's a species of chimp that uses sticks to crack open nuts. The interesting thing is how the mothers show the kids how to do it, deliberately going slowly through the motions in front of them.
 
djeipa said:
Why didn't you post it in biology forum anyway ? :rolleyes:

Something like this has a broader appeal.
 
zoobyshoe said:
There's a species of chimp that uses sticks to crack open nuts.
ooooohh, that looks like bears with chestnuts
 
djeipa, I have been looking at a number of your posts and they are not appreciated. Please stay on topic.
 
Thank you very much, I was happy with the news, and appriciated the information brought up by zoobyshoe about how mothers helped kids get over the trouble of learning how to eat nuts. Those GOD blessed MONKEYs[/size] should be EDUCATED to be HUMANs rather Monkeys.
I will try to post on topic.

I am not good at evolution, but I think some years later those monkeys might be humans.
 
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djeipa said:
ooooohh, that looks like bears with chestnuts
Oh, that sounds like djeipa with ADD :smile: (Let's go check out the new web games now!)

I watched this PBS program years ago. Researchers leave a life-size leopard mannequin inside a monkey tribe's territory. Upon its discovery, the tribe circle it from a distance and make noises. Then they throw tree branches at it. Finally they gather courage to move closer and hit it with branches (then laugh at how it's not even moving, I guess).