We know, we've cycled back to apes and food, but this one is as human as it gets. Us humans are (or rather were) the only species to cook our food. Not only has it allowed us to contract fewer diseases and infections, it is also thought to have dramatically reduced the energy demands of our gut, allowing our brains to develop the way they have. Next time you walk into your kitchen, give your stove and oven a thankful nod.
A bonobo called Kanzi has been observed to create a stack of firewood, start a fire (admittedly with matches he probably hasn't made himself), and cook food (again, marshmallows and burgers, which have admittedly been given to him by his human handlers). Despite these helpful additions by humans, there is one thing Kanzi has done all by himself, and that's learn how to do this.
Though human handlers have provided him with some tools and regular viewings of the movie Quest for fire, Kanzi learned how to light the fire and cook the food all by himself, and is teaching his son Teco to do it too. Watch him in action here.
These are only four examples out of many more discovered by scientists. Many skills and traits previously thought to be exclusively human have been found in nature – from crows' extraordinary abilities to use tools to spiders deceiving potential mates by lying – which are causing us to rethink exactly how we evolved and what makes us so special... if anything at all.
Are you interested in animal behavior? Why not join one of our wildlife or marine conservation projects to help discover and research many interesting and endangered species? Find out more here.
Marion Thibaudeau is an Online Media Intern at Frontier, an international non-profit volunteering NGO. Frontier has over 300 dedicated conservation and community development projects as well as plenty of inspiring www.frontier.ac.uk/Volunteer/Volunteer.aspx?utm_source=TheDodo&utm_medium=gapyearblog&utm_campaign=BlogArticle">gap year ideas to help make your time out meaningful. For more information on all the opportunities available please visit www.frontier.ac.uk. Check out Frontier's blog "Into the Wild" where you can read more articles like this! Happy reading!
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