Chimpanzees develop specific handshake-like gestures depending on their social group, according to the results of a 12-year observational study published on Wednesday that sheds light on the animals' complex social structures.
Chimps are often referred to as being the most "humanlike" non-human species, given their propensity to perform complicated tasks, such as tool use, which were long thought to be the sole preserve of mankind.
Chimps learn handshakes according to social group: study
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26/05/2021 - 02:06 Chimps are often referred to as being the most humanlike non-human species DESIREY MINKOH AFP/File 3 min
Paris (AFP)
Chimpanzees develop specific handshake-like gestures depending on their social group, according to the results of a 12-year observational study published on Wednesday that sheds light on the animals complex social structures.
Chimps are often referred to as being the most humanlike non-human species, given their propensity to perform complicated tasks, such as tool use, which were long thought to be the sole preserve of mankind.
Edwin van Leeuwen, an expert in animal behaviour at the University of Antwerp and the city s Royal Zoological Society, studied dozens of chimpanzees sheltered at Zambia s Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust over a 12-year span.
Chimpanzees develop specific handshake-like gestures depending on their social group, according to the results of a 12-year observational study published on Wednesday that sheds light on the animals' complex social structures.
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Chimpanzees have secret handshakes!
Chimpanzees clasp hands while grooming one another, and each group has its own distinct grip, which researchers say is similar to a secret handshake in humans. The apes are known to be a cultural species, and the new study by University of Antwerp scientists focused on hand clasping in two different groups over 12 years. This is a peculiar social custom among the chimpanzee species which is linked to grooming, but only found in a relatively small number of chimp populations.
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