New Scientist Podcasts
Weekly: Chimps, bonobos and humans have more in common than you might think
Mar 7, 2025
Sophie Berdugo, a recent PhD graduate specializing in chimp behavior, shares fascinating insights from her research in Guinea. She reveals surprising similarities between chimps and bonobos, especially in their use of sexual interactions for social cohesion. Beyond this, she discusses chimps' unique tool use for cracking nuts, a vital skill that's at risk of extinction. The conversation also delves into groundbreaking archaeological findings that push back the timeline of ancient human tool use, reshaping our understanding of evolution and innovation.
27:56
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Quick takeaways
- Chimps and bonobos use sexual behavior not just for reproduction, but also to manage social tensions and conflicts within their groups.
- Recent discoveries show that early humans crafted tools from animal bones 1.5 million years ago, challenging previous archaeological assumptions about technology evolution.
Deep dives
Sexual Behavior as a Social Tool
Chimps and bonobos utilize sexual behavior as a means to manage social dynamics and ease tension within their groups. Recent studies reveal that both species exhibit genital contact during competitive feeding scenarios, highlighting a significant overlap in this behavior. Bonobos are renowned for using sexual interactions after conflicts, yet chimps also display this trait, suggesting that sexual behavior serves a broader social function beyond reproduction. This challenges the simplistic stereotypes of these species and indicates that sexual behavior may be deeply rooted in our shared evolutionary history, bridging the gap in understanding human sexuality.
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