Many people think 'culture' is what divides man from the apes.
But a group of University of Zurich researchers have proved that orangutan societies can learn behaviour and pass it down through the generations, just like human cultures.
Orangutans in different areas of Sumatra and Borneo behave differently - and researchers were puzzled as to why.
But it turns out the differences are not down to genetics - instead, the 'local cultures' are learned and passed down among local groups of apes, similar to how people behave differently in, say, Aberdeen and Plymouth, or New York and Ohio.
The finding hints that the roots of human societies may go back for millions of years.
The roots of our culture could be shared with the roots of ape cultures.
The researchers analysed 100,000 hours of orangutan behaviour and genetically profiled 150 orangutans.
About a decade ago, biologists who had been observing great apes in the wild reported that behaviour 'changed' with geography, in a way that hinted that the apes had cultures that stored and passed on ideas.
The finding triggered an intense debate among scientists.
Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: 'Civilised' orangutan store knowledge and pass it down between generations - just like humans
.But a group of University of Zurich researchers have proved that orangutan societies can learn behaviour and pass it down through the generations, just like human cultures.
Orangutans in different areas of Sumatra and Borneo behave differently - and researchers were puzzled as to why.
But it turns out the differences are not down to genetics - instead, the 'local cultures' are learned and passed down among local groups of apes, similar to how people behave differently in, say, Aberdeen and Plymouth, or New York and Ohio.
The finding hints that the roots of human societies may go back for millions of years.
The roots of our culture could be shared with the roots of ape cultures.
The researchers analysed 100,000 hours of orangutan behaviour and genetically profiled 150 orangutans.
About a decade ago, biologists who had been observing great apes in the wild reported that behaviour 'changed' with geography, in a way that hinted that the apes had cultures that stored and passed on ideas.
The finding triggered an intense debate among scientists.
Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: 'Civilised' orangutan store knowledge and pass it down between generations - just like humans
.
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