Apes Like to Spin Like Humans

Apes Like to Spin Like Humans

Subject :Science and Technology

Section: Msc

Why in News?

Just like humans, great ape species also seem to regularly enjoy stimulating their senses through spinning, possibly even in pursuit of altered mental states. Many animals, especially humans’ closest relatives like chimpanzees, display behavioural attributes similar to humans. Studying these behaviours provides scientists with not just a greater understanding of the animals but also of evolution and human beings themselves.

News in Brief

1. Videos of gorillas, chimpanzees and other animals engaging in human-like spinning around in circles, somersaulting, etc. went viral.
2. They do so for stimulating their senses just like humans.
3. 400 videos showing great apes and other primates engaged inspinning behaviors were amassed by cognitive scientists. Mostly captive apes, but a few were wild mountain gorillas.
4. This led to a research by primatologist and evolutionary psychologist to find if other primates also do so for the same reason, that is for a fun and exhilarating experience felt by children evidenced by the enduring popularity of playground merry-go-rounds.
5. The new research suggests that humans are not alone in their pursuit of spin-induced buzzes.

Research Findings

1. Other great ape species also seem to regularly enjoy stimulating their senses through spinning, possibly even in pursuit of altered mental states.
2. Spinning, whirling, backflipping, somersaulting are not distinctly human activity as thought of so far.
3. Spinning speed was  rivaling professionally trained human dancers and aerialists – average rotation velocity of 1.43 revolutions per second.
4. The longest spin session lasted 28 revolutions, and the fastest was a brain-scrambling 4 revolutions per second by a bonobo.
5. The longer an ape spun, the more likely it was to show signs of dizziness, such as letting go of the rope and immediately sitting or lying down.
6. Apes tended to repeat the process of spinning and stopping, engaging in an average of three bouts of spinning per session.
7. “Play faces” made by the animals while spinning – Imply that they were having fun rather than only seeking a way to relieve themselves of boredom in captivity.

Animals Getting High

1. These animals also engage in other activities that can scramble the senses, including consuming fermented fruits containing alcohol and ingesting naturally occurring psychedelic substances.
2. It is debated if this behavior is done on purpose or by accident.

Future Prospects of Research

1. Such studies may provide data needed to explore behaviors that may be evolutionary precursors to the human desire to experience altered mental states.
2. Collecting evidence of other species, including grizzly bears and pandas, that appear to enjoy activities that may make them dizzy may open a larger study.
3. Researching such behavior may reveal that we are not the only animals who engage in behaviors that intentionally produce altered states of consciousness.
4. Systematic research will help us learn more about the taxonomy of getting high and change the feeling that we are all that unique.