| Abstract: | Many different kinds of tool use by wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in their natural habitat have been documented over the last 30 years.1 Most instances involve the use of a single type of tool for a single task. Even when a chimpanzee uses more than one tool for a single target, the tools usually are used to perform the same function; for example, when the first object employed to perform a task breaks, it is replaced by a similar object. Use of more than one kind of tool for a single task, a tool-composite, by wild chimpanzees (Pan troglydytes) demonstrates high intelligence and motor control which requires foresight, understanding of relations among tools and task, and behavioral coordination. Application of tool-composites has been reported infrequently and may be due to their use in complicated environmental and situational contexts which chimpanzees encounter less frequently throughout their daily activities. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
