Page 48 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

20 2 The Cognitive Abilities of Wild Animals

VetBooks.ir 2.3.1 Tool Use is to obtain food that does not appear
directly accessible. Apes, and particularly
Tool use may be defined as behaviours
performed by altering a target object by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), are arguably
the most skilful and flexible users of tools in
mechanical means and behaviours that the wild (Biro et al. 2003). Chimpanzees use
mediate information between the tool user sticks and poles to extract insects (e.g. ants,
and the surrounding environment (St Amant termites) from wooden logs and stumps
and Horton 2008). Like many cognitive skills, (Suzuki et al. 1995). Wild orangutans (Pongo
tool use was once considered a strictly human pygmaeus) exhibit flexible tool use in their
ability; however, it is now acknowledged that native habitat (van Schaik et al. 1996).
tool use occurs in primates, some other Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla)
mammalian taxa, some avian species, and use shrub stumps as both bridges and as sta-
even reptilians. Tools can be used to achieve bilisers during food processing (Breuer
strictly physical tasks or can be used to et al. 2005). Chimpanzees and bonobos use a
achieve social goals as well. Tool use can also wide variety of tool types, including twigs
be transmitted socially through communities (see Figure 2.2), grasses, and stones, for dif-
in the wild. Furthermore, specific features of ferent functions (Boesch and Boesch 1990;
an animal’s environment (e.g. barriers, natu- Inoue‐Nakamura and Matsuzawa 1997), but
ral disturbance) can facilitate the use of inan- specifically use large, flat ‘anvil’ stones and
imate objects as tools. smaller ‘hammer’ stones to crack oil palm
In wild animals, the creation and use of
tools in a variety of adaptive ways has been nuts (Inoue‐Nakamura and Matsuzawa
1997). Similarly, tufted capuchins (Cebus
observed in a wide range of species. Perhaps apella) use stones to crack open Syragus
the most well‐cited and obvious use of tools

Figure 2.2 Bonobos are trying to access food in a closed basket by using a twig to ‘fish’ for food: bonobos have
been observed to use a wide variety of tool types. Source: Jeroen Stevens.