News Anthropology

Chimps show skill in termite fishing

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Video cameras recording activity at six termite nests in a central-African forest have revealed how local chimpanzees snag the insects for snacks. Tapes from a recent 6-month period show chimps making and wielding one set of termite-fishing tools at aboveground nests and a different type at subterranean nests.

GONE FISHING. Mother chimp holds termite-fishing probe in her mouth as she and her child gaze toward a video camera recording their behavior in a central-African forest.