Research Reveals that Fongoli Chimps Use Tools when Hunting for Prey

New research shows about interesting facts on chimpanzees conducted by Iowa State University unveiling the observation that they are using tools in hunting for their prey as per the Maine News Online.

Researchers found out in 2007 after they have observed more than 300 chimps among the population of Fongoli in Senegal that these chimpanzees were using spears as tools to hunt.  In their study, they have also learned that the female species were the active ones making the tools.  The males still use their hands to hunt as revealed in the study.

Iowa State University anthropology researcher and Professor Jill Pruetz said that these chimps used live branches of trees to make spears.  They use these spears to push the bush babies or galagos, creatures living in the cavities of trees which are nocturnal and small primates and their favorite food.  When the bush babies ran out from the trees, the male chimps hunt and capture them using just their hands.

The study also explained that the population of the Fongoli chimp is the specie of non-human animal that uses tools for hunting vertebrates.  It may be according to the animal's social structure that allows them to eat and keep what they catch.  It was learned that in other regions, priority is given to alpha males wherein all catches are awarded to them.

Pruetz also stated that when females hunt for their food and other chimps will just take what they have caught then they no longer do the hunting.  It goes to say that the major factor for this trait is their environment.  This is also believed to be a hint in the early characteristic of humans on how they were able to use tools in hunting.