Chimpanzees Observation

In a world where time travel is not possible there is no way to observe evolution directly as each species changes and diversifies . In order to better understand the process and its effect on species we must observe them and their ancestors , by observing we can find similarities between these animals as well as the differences and how each one has adapted differently to its own environment. By observing Chimpanzees and the Crested Capuchin monkey, both of which had an infant and mother pair it was easy to see the differences as well as the similarities between the two very different groups in how they interact socially , how they care for their infants and feed . These two groups shared similarities with human behavior as well, actions that …show more content…
There was a set group of four females that included the mother chimpanzee that stayed very close together, the mother was constantly paired with one other female who a docent informed me was her own daughter. This group of four surrounded mom on occasion when wind picked up as it was raining and cold the day I went and would take turns holding the infant for mom, the daughter of the current mother sat next to her at all times and occasionally held the infants hand or covered its head from the rain with her arm. This group was very protective over the infant as the other two who were not part of the related family group were not allowed near the infant , two females would chase them off if they got to close to mom or whoever was carrying the infant at the time and smack the ground . The infant itself had gestures very similar to human children, when it was with another chimpanzee for a long period of time it would stretch its arms out in the direction of its mother and pulse its hands in and out of a fist to get her attention and continue to do this till she came and picked it up. When the mother was not mobile and it as perched against her chest it would fidget and pound on her chest or explore its moms face with its hands. The …show more content…
The other two that were isolated from the main group walked using the apes modified form of quadrupedalism termed “knuckle walking” where the knuckles are placed on the floor in front of the animal and pressure is applied and used as leverage to push off , this is why apes such as chimps have longer arms then hind limbs, they often held hands as they moved through the enclosure. One of the two isolated chimps became very curious about the baby and as it moved towards the mother the other of the two quickly moved towards her and put its hand on her back and began to shove her forward and away from the situation she then took the others hand and guided her to the other side of the enclosure. The chimpanzees when not mobile sat down legs bent in a couched position with arms folded in front much like we do when we are at