Natural History Wanderings

EarthSky reported

A team of researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, Durham University in the U.K. and other institutions observed something remarkable at a chimpanzee sanctuary in Zambia. Several chimpanzees from one particular group were seen dangling blades of grass from their ear holes or their behinds, for no apparent reason. Researchers did not see the behavior in other chimpanzee groups at the same sanctuary, despite similar living conditions. Utrecht University researcher Edwin van Leeuwen said:

“This shows that, like humans, other animals also copy seemingly pointless behaviors from one another. And that, in turn, may offer insights into the evolutionary roots of human culture.”

Read more at Chimpanzees wear blades of grass in their ears and rears