In a new report coming from PLOS Biology there is now evidential data that reveals a rare series of behavior regarding chimps regarding the adoption of traits and social sharing.

This sharing allows for individual to individual teaching and passing down the traits and behaviors through the generations of chimp colony. Each colony had its own unique behavior and traits. The data was gleaned from the scientists and researchers from the University of St. Andrews, University of Neuchatel, Universite’ du Quebec, and the Angila Ruskin University. This mega team of scientists dug deep into the chimpanzee existence, lifestyle, and culture to bring about a new and intriguing look into these primates that are humanity’s closest cousins. Deep inside the forbidding Budongo forest of Uganda, the teams found startling discoveries they’ve now published for the world to see.

What transpired is that they noticed the various diversity of behaviors of the different chimp troupes. Some used tools and some didn’t. The variations of the behaviors even within the same communities was enough to show that the animals were teaching one another new and old practices that became unique to them. The fact that some of the behaviors using tools showed conclusively that the animals had learned from long term association and ingenuity to use some tools for different purposes but each of these behaviors were used only within that specific community. Chimps it appears are just as diverse and unique in their communities as we humans are.

One amazing technique the researchers observed are how the chimps used “leaf sponges” a way they dip leaves in water to get a drink. Some chimps just dipped certain leaves in the water and others fashioned certain leaves by chewing on them. Some even saved the used leaves for further use. This accents how other scientists had watched as chimps who lived in various environments like grasslands, thick forests, and woodlands all figured out and passed down behaviors. This proves that the animals have cultures and there are probably more deep rooted behaviors the scientists need to discover as well to see how the chimps develop their cultures and to what complexity they are.