<p>Chalk up another mark of chimpanzee intelligence--they not only use tools for gathering food, but also to improve their sex lives. The chimps don't have to duck into a sex shop to gather their erotic implements—the tools they use literally grow on trees. Researchers have documented chimps in a Tanzanian colony using brittle leaves in their mating rituals. In a botanical bit of foreplay, the male chimps grab dry leaves and break them apart with their hands or mouths, creating a distinctive raspy sound that signals their sexual readiness. Think of it as the chimp equivalent of putting "Let's Get It On" on the stereo. As researcher William McGrew explains (slightly graphically) to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/science/04tier.html?partner=rss&amp;emc=rss" title=""><em>The New York Times</em></a>: </p><div class="vert-display-toggle collapsible relative flex flex-col items-center "><div class="vert-unit mt-4 mb-3 top-20"><div ad-type="mobile-desktop" class="ad-wrapper vert min-h-boombox flex items-start justify-center" data-ad-mapping="inline" data-ad-slot="Discover/inline-ad" id="div-inline-ad-0"></div></div><span aria-label="Advertisement" class="text-ad mt-1 text-[11px] uppercase">Advertisement</span></div><p>“The male will pluck a leaf, or a set of leaves, and sit so the female can see him. He spreads his legs so the female sees the erection, and he tears the leaf bit by bit down the midvein of the leaf, dropping the pieces as he detaches them. Sometimes he’ll do half a dozen leaves until she notices.”</p><p> Eventually, McGrew continues, the female notices the male's aroused state and "puts two and two together." If she's interested, the mating can commence. And while this device may seem rather rudimentary compared to the sex toys that humans have come up with, McGrew says the leaves fit the definition of a tool, as the chimps are using a portable object in pursuit of a goal--in this case, hot chimp action. Related Content: Discoblog: <a href="/planet-earth/for-chimps-a-rear-end-is-worth-a-thousand-faces" title="">For Chimps, a Rear End Is Worth a Thousand Faces</a></p><div data-embedid="dcfb67aa-fdf4-4a19-b4c7-75c497a8de9c" id="insticator-embed-temp"></div><p> 80beats: <a href="http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/12/23/chimps-dont-run-from-fire%E2%80%94they-dance-with-it/" title="">Chimps Don’t Run From Fire—They Dance With It</a></p><p> 80beats: <a href="/planet-earth/chimp-gathers-stones-for-premeditated-attacks-on-zoo-visitors" title="">Chimp Gathers Stones for “Premeditated” Attacks on Zoo Visitors</a></p><p> 80beats: <a href="/planet-earth/chimps-invent-improved-stick-technology-to-catch-more-termites" title="">Chimps Invent Improved Stick Technology to Catch More Termites</a></p><p> DISCOVER: <a href="/planet-earth/aping-culture" title="">Aping Culture</a></p><p>—what’s left to separate chimps from us? </p><p><em>Image: flickr / </em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wanderlustg/167328102/in/set-72157594166034338/" title="">Graham Racher</a></p>

chimp.jpg

Discover the surprising ways chimpanzee intelligence manifests, especially in mating rituals and tool use for gathering food.

Planet Earth

Chimps Use Tools to Improve Their Sex Lives

Article

News

Eliza Strickland

Science

Chalk up another mark of chimpanzee intelligence--they not only use tools for gathering food, but also to improve their sex lives. The chimps don't have to duck into a sex shop to gather their erotic implements—the tools they use literally grow on trees. Researchers have documented chimps in a Tanzanian colony using brittle leaves in their mating rituals. In a botanical bit of foreplay, the male chimps grab dry leaves and break them apart with their hands or mouths, creating a distinctive raspy sound that signals their sexual readiness. Think of it as the chimp equivalent of putting "Let's Get It On" on the stereo. As researcher William McGrew explains (slightly graphically) to The New York Times: “The male will pluck a leaf, or a set of leaves, and sit so the female can see him. He spreads his legs so the female sees the erection, and he tears the leaf bit by bit down the midvein of the leaf, dropping the pieces as he detaches them. Sometimes he’ll do half a dozen leaves until she notices.” Eventually, McGrew continues, the female notices the male's aroused state and "puts two and two together." If she's interested, the mating can commence. And while this device may seem rather rudimentary compared to the sex toys that humans have come up with, McGrew says the leaves fit the definition of a tool, as the chimps are using a portable object in pursuit of a goal--in this case, hot chimp action. Related Content: Discoblog: For Chimps, a Rear End Is Worth a Thousand Faces 80beats: Chimps Don’t Run From Fire—They Dance With It 80beats: Chimp Gathers Stones for “Premeditated” Attacks on Zoo Visitors 80beats: Chimps Invent Improved Stick Technology to Catch More Termites DISCOVER: Aping Culture —what’s left to separate chimps from us? Image: flickr / Graham Racher

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黑猩猩使用工具来改善性生活

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