When it comes to chimpanzee smarts, genetics and environment are split about evenly to determine the variability of their intelligence, a new study says.
Genetic makeup influences about half of the variability, while environmental factors determine the other half, National Geographic reported.
Publishing their findings in the journal Current Biology, primatologist William Hopkins of the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta, Ga., and his colleagues pointed out that chimps have a wide variety of cognitive abilities.
Human studies have shown a similar 50-50 divide between genetics and environment when it comes to intelligence, but "chimps offer a simpler way to think about that question," Hopkins said.
The research team looked at 99 captive chimpanzees to measure their cognitive abilities. Through 13 tests, the scientists examined how the chimps reacted to the world and used tools.
Hopkins, who has long studied the animals, was working with a chimpanzee several decades ago named Austin. The smartest chimp Hopkins says he has ever worked with, Austin realized that a video camera was recording his movements and he could watch himself in real time on a monitor.
When he opened his mouth to look at his teeth, Austin couldn't see them well enough.
"So he went and got a flashlight and shined it into his mouth to see farther down his throat," said Hopkins.
While Austin was the smartest chimp he's worked with, Hopkins has noticed a wide range of intelligence among the animals.
"When you're out there working with them all the time, you definitely form some opinions about whether you think they're smart or not so smart," he said.
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