Chimps like to wee with others

Scientists have found that chimps often wee together. This could mean that weeing in groups is a contagious behaviour (an action that others copy when they see it). Yawning is an example of contagious behaviour in both chimps and humans. Ena Onishi, a student at Kyoto University in Japan, spent more than 600 hours observing chimpanzees, and she saw them weeing together more than 1,300 times. She spotted that chimps nearest to the first chimp to wee were more likely to copy. Chimps lower on the social ladder (less important in the group) were also more likely to join in. Through peeing together, chimpanzees “reinforce group connections,” said Onishi. In other words, going to the loo together seems to be a bonding activity if you are a chimpanzee.…

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The Week Junior (UK) (Digital) - 1 Issue, 477

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