Elliot Howard-Spink
@ehowaspi.bsky.social
Researching primate behaviours | Postdoc at UZH Evo Anthro & NCCR Evolving Language | Former Postdoc at MPI Animal Behavior & DPhil at Oxford Biology | Tools & Culture, Language Evo, Development & Senescence | He/They 🌈
Additionally, huge thanks go to all coauthors on this study, Tetsuro Matsuzawa, Susana Carvalho, Cat Hobaiter @nakedprimate.bsky.social, Katarina Almeida-Warren, and also both of my former DPhil supervisors, Thibaud Gruber @thibaudgruber.bsky.social & Dora Biro @dorabiro.bsky.social! 🙌
July 15, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Additionally, huge thanks go to all coauthors on this study, Tetsuro Matsuzawa, Susana Carvalho, Cat Hobaiter @nakedprimate.bsky.social, Katarina Almeida-Warren, and also both of my former DPhil supervisors, Thibaud Gruber @thibaudgruber.bsky.social & Dora Biro @dorabiro.bsky.social! 🙌
Many thanks to all researchers and field assistants involved with data collection over the years at Bossou, and in curating the Bossou video archive. (📸 credit T Matsuzawa).
July 15, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Many thanks to all researchers and field assistants involved with data collection over the years at Bossou, and in curating the Bossou video archive. (📸 credit T Matsuzawa).
For more information, check out the paper, or this summary of our work: elifesciences.org/for-the-pres... and also
Old age takes its toll on tool use in wild chimpanzees
New research finds old age likely impacts the habitual tool-use behaviours of some wild chimpanzees, and the extent to which different individuals are affected is highly variable.
elifesciences.org
July 15, 2025 at 11:38 AM
For more information, check out the paper, or this summary of our work: elifesciences.org/for-the-pres... and also
Our results provide some of the first insight into how old age can influence the cultural, technical behaviours of wild animals - importantly, these results give first evidence that some chimpanzees may experience periods of technological senescence, whereas others' behaviours are robust to aging.
July 15, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Our results provide some of the first insight into how old age can influence the cultural, technical behaviours of wild animals - importantly, these results give first evidence that some chimpanzees may experience periods of technological senescence, whereas others' behaviours are robust to aging.
The precise effects of aging on tool engagement, selection and efficiency differed between individuals, suggesting that old age can exacerbate interindividual differences in tool use for wild chimpanzees.
July 15, 2025 at 11:38 AM
The precise effects of aging on tool engagement, selection and efficiency differed between individuals, suggesting that old age can exacerbate interindividual differences in tool use for wild chimpanzees.
Using 17 years of video footage of chimpanzees cracking nuts using stone tools at Bossou, we found that older individuals began attending experimental nut cracking sites less often over time (but younger adults didn't). With aging, some elderly individuals also became less efficient tool users.
July 15, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Using 17 years of video footage of chimpanzees cracking nuts using stone tools at Bossou, we found that older individuals began attending experimental nut cracking sites less often over time (but younger adults didn't). With aging, some elderly individuals also became less efficient tool users.
Congratulations!!!!
July 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Congratulations!!!!
Haha I will try my best ;-) keep it up - persistence is key and it sounds like there is progress!
April 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Haha I will try my best ;-) keep it up - persistence is key and it sounds like there is progress!
Sorry to hear things are so manic, but it sounds like you are doing well to get your foot in the door in a few places! (As you say, that can often feel impossible in itself). If I can help/give any advice just drop me a message.
April 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Sorry to hear things are so manic, but it sounds like you are doing well to get your foot in the door in a few places! (As you say, that can often feel impossible in itself). If I can help/give any advice just drop me a message.