Are Gorillas More Intelligent Than We Thought?

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The discussion centers around the remarkable observation of a female gorilla, nicknamed Leah, using a stick to test the depth of water, highlighting the capability of gorillas to use tools. This discovery sparks a conversation about tool use among primates, including chimps that use sticks to extract ants and crack nuts, often taught by their mothers. Participants express amazement at these behaviors, suggesting that with time, primates could evolve further. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of these findings, with some humorously speculating about the future of primates and their potential evolution into humans. There are side comments about off-topic posts and a reminder to stay focused on the subject of primate intelligence and behavior.
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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).
 

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