Chimpanzees, orangutans and capuchin monkeys are known as being the most prodigious non-human tool users, but generally their tools are used for foraging or feeding. Self-directed and social tools appear to allow for a bit more "innovation and creativity," which seems to hold true for the scratcher tool. "Spider monkeys are an interesting case because they fit some, but not all, of the general characteristics shared by primate tool users," Lindshield said, explaining that the monkeys have a large brain relative to their body size, but they "are not extractive foragers so we wouldn't expect them to employ tools, such as termite fishing wands or hammers and anvils to crack open nuts." Spider monkeys also have another major drawback -- no thumbs -- "which may make it more difficult for them to handle tools relative to other primate tool users." Julio Mercader, a University of Calgary archaeologist, believes that, due to so many recent new discoveries of tool use by a wide variety of wild primates, a new inter-disciplinary field of primate archaeology should be established to examine tool use by these animals in a long-term, evolutionary context. Mercader said, "We used to think that culture and, above anything else, technology was the exclusive domain of humans, but this is not the case." Related Links: Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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