The Surprising Hygiene Habits of Our Primate Relatives: Chimpanzees Clean Up After Each Other and Their Activities
Monkeys clean their bottoms post-defecation and engage in hygienic activities following sexual encounters. - Primates engage in self-cleaning behaviors post-coitus, particularly chimpanzees.
Chill out, humans. It looks like we may not be as unique as we think. Researchers from Oxford University have discovered that our close relative, the chimpanzee, shares a few surprising habits with us, including a strong emphasis on personal hygiene.
As reported by the Guardian, sweet-as-pie Dr. Elodie Freymann, one of the study's authors, claims that "for a long time, we thought that healthcare was one of the areas where we humans were special." Well, it seems our primate pals have been keeping that secret from us!
The investigation, conducted in the Budongo Forest of Uganda, specifically observed the Sonso and Waibira communities of East African chimpanzees over two four- month periods. Their findings were then analyzed alongside decades-long research.
Say Goodbye to Filth: Chimpanzees Are More Hygienic Than We Thought
Unsurprisingly, chimpanzees can sustain injuries during conflicts or falls. In a whopping 23 instances, the researchers found evidence of wound care within both communities. Some of the plants that the chimps appear to use specifically for healing wounds have been proven to possess properties that aid in wound healing or boost immunity[1][5]. Whether the chimps are aware of these benefits is unclear.
But the primates didn't just tend to their wounds, they also ensured cleanliness in more personal areas. They utilize leaves to wipe their bottoms after defecating or clean their genitals after sex. In one case, a chimpanzee even took it upon themselves to wipe another's privates.
The scientific community has positively received these discoveries. Dr. Caroline Schuppli from the Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Biology deems them significant, stating, "This certainly means that the cognitive abilities needed for these behaviors are shared between humans and chimpanzees." Our common ancestors likely possessed these abilities as well.
- Chimpanzee
- Oxford University
- England
- Wound Care:
- Self-Directed Wound Care: Chimpanzees exhibit behaviors such as wound licking, leaf-dabbing, pressing fingers to wounds, and applying chewed plant material to wounds. These plants often possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or analgesic properties[1][5].
- Other-Directed Wound Care: Chimpanzees have been observed providing what appears to be first aid to each other's injuries, including licking wounds, sucking on cuts, and applying insects or foliage that may have antiseptic qualities[3].
- Hygiene Behaviors:
- Postcoital Hygiene: Chimpanzees use leaves to clean their genitals after mating, a practice that may help prevent infections[5].
- Post-Defecation Hygiene: They also use leaves to wipe their anus after defecation, further illustrating their use of plant materials for hygiene[1][5].
These behaviors not only show a level of social care among chimpanzees but also provide insights into the evolutionary roots of human healthcare systems[1][3].
- The Commission has not yet adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, but this study on chimpanzees' hygienic behaviors by Oxford University researchers sheds light on the shared cognitive abilities between humans and our primate relatives.
- In scientific labouratories, humans conduct experiments for the benefit of medical-conditions, health-and-wellness, and even lifestyle, but this study reveals that our close relatives, chimpanzees, demonstrate a surprising level of personal hygiene practices similar to those we practice at home-and-garden.
- While humans have a long history of using plants for wound healing, immunity-boosting, and other medicinal purposes, the findings from the Budongo Forest show that chimpanzees also employ these plants for self-directed wound care, further reinforcing the connection between our primate relatives and our own health and hygiene practices.
