Mandrill Monkey Know How Pedicure

Scientists University of Durham, England, filmed a mandrill monkey peeling a twig and use it to clean toenails. They published the findings of a monkey "pedicure" at the Chester Zoo in the journal Behavioural Processes and quoted by the BBC on Friday (22/07/2011).

Mandrill is the fifth species of monkeys that appear to modify the tool. Apes, including chimpanzees and orangutans, can adjust the basic tools for specific jobs.

"This is a capability, which until a few years ago considered uniquely human," said Dr. Riccardo Pansini, who led the research.

Pansini make a recording while studying the relation of pressure and mandrill's behavior at the zoo. In the tape, a big male mandrill takes twigs and modify it to scrape dirt from under fingernails.

"Mandrill also seen cleaning the ear with a modification in the wild. This is thought to help prevent ear infections," Pansini said.

Posted in: Animal,Sains