Use of tools by animals. Use of tools by animals Which animal uses tools most often?

Animal tools and human tools

Without going into the course of development itself labor activity, let us note only a few more significant points in addition to what has already been said about the tool activity of monkeys.

First of all, it is important to emphasize that a tool, as we have seen, can be any object used by an animal to solve a specific problem in a specific situation. A labor tool must certainly be specially manufactured for certain labor operations and presupposes knowledge about its future use. They are produced for future use even before the possibility or need for their use arises. In itself, such activity is biologically meaningless and even harmful (a waste of time and energy) and can only be justified by foreseeing the occurrence of situations in which one cannot do without tools.

This means that making tools involves foreseeing possible cause-and-effect relationships in the future, and at the same time, as Ladygina-Kots showed, a chimpanzee is unable to comprehend such relationships even when preparing a tool for its direct use in solving a problem.

Connected with this is the important circumstance that when monkeys use tools, their “working” meaning is not assigned to the tool at all. Outside the specific situation of solving a problem, for example, before and after the experiment, the object that served as a tool loses all functional significance for the monkey, and it treats it in the same way as any other “useless” object. The operation performed by a monkey with the help of a tool is not recorded on it, and outside of its direct use, the monkey treats it indifferently, and therefore does not permanently store it as a tool. In contrast to this, not only man stores the tools he has made, but the tools themselves also store the methods of influence carried out by man on natural objects.

Moreover, even with the individual production of a tool, the production of a social object takes place, because this object has a special way of use, which is socially developed in the process of collective labor and which is assigned to it. Each human tool is the material embodiment of a certain socially developed labor operation.

Thus, the emergence of labor is associated with a radical change in all behavior: from general activities, aimed at directly satisfying a need, a special action is identified that is not directed by a direct biological motive and receives its meaning only with the further use of its results. This is one of the most important changes in the general structure of behavior, marking the transition from the natural history of the animal world to the social history of mankind. With the further development of social relations and forms of production, such actions, not directly directed by biological motives, occupy an increasingly larger and larger role in human activity. bigger place and finally become decisive for his entire behavior.

The true production of tools involves influencing an object not directly with effector organs (teeth, hands), but with another object, i.e. the processing of the tool being manufactured must be carried out with another tool (for example, a stone). Findings of precisely such products of activity (flakes, chisels) serve for anthropologists as true evidence of the presence of labor activity among our ancestors.

At the same time, according to Fabry, when manipulating biologically “neutral” objects (and only such could become tools), although monkeys sometimes influence one object on another (Fig. 24), they nevertheless pay attention to the changes occurring with the object direct influence, i.e. with the “tool”, but not on the changes occurring with the “processed” (“second”) object, which serves as nothing more than a substrate, a “background”. In this respect, monkeys are no different from other animals. The conclusion suggests itself that these objective actions of monkeys in their essence are directly opposite to the instrumental labor activity of humans, in which, naturally, the changes in the instrument of labor that accompany it are not so important as the changes in the object of labor (the homologue of the “second object”). Obviously, only under certain experimental conditions is it possible for monkeys to switch their attention to the “second object.”

However, the manufacture of a tool (for example, cutting one stone with the help of another) requires the formation of such specific methods of influencing the “second object”, such operations that would lead to completely special changes in this object, thanks to which only it will turn into a tool. A good example to this - the manufacture of the most ancient tools primitive man(stone hand ax, Fig. 50), where efforts had to be directed toward creating a pointed end, i.e., the actual working part of the tool, and a wide, rounded top (core, core), adapted to firmly hold the tool in the hand. It was through such operations that human consciousness grew.

It is quite natural that from the creation of the first tools such as the hand ax of the Chelles era, and even more so the primitive tool (flakes) of Sinanthropus from the pre-Chelles era, there was still a long way to the manufacture of various perfect tools of labor of a modern type of man (Neoanthropus) (Fig. 51). Even at the initial stage of the development of the material culture of the neoanthrope, for example, Cro-Magnon man, there is a huge variety of types of tools, including the first appearance of composite tools: dart tips, flint inserts, as well as needles, spear throwers, etc. Particularly noteworthy is the abundance of tools for making tools. Later, stone tools such as an ax or hoe appeared.

Rice. 50. Flint hand ax of the Chelles era

Rice. 51. Late Paleolithic tools

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The use of tools in one's life was considered a human privilege. It turned out that this was not the case. Animals can also use all kinds of ready-made items environment and can make tools themselves.

The woodpecker finch, having reached the insect's passage, flies in search of a cactus thorn. Armed, he takes the thorn by one end and pushes it into the hole, trying to drive the insect out of the shelter. If it is “stubborn” and does not want to get out, the finch pricks it on the tip of a thorn and then pulls out its delicacy.

There are times when birds of prey, in order to cope with the prey, are not enough with their powerful weapons - beak and claws. And then improvised means come to the rescue. Vultures only manage to break strong ostrich eggs with the help of stones. The bird takes a stone in its beak and very accurately throws it at the egg. This can be repeated several times until the egg cracks and abundant nutritious contents flow out of it.

sea otter or a sea otter - in order to overcome the shells of a mollusk or the spines of a hedgehog, it uses a stone. He dives and pulls out a flat stone the size of a fist from the bottom. Then he turns on his back, puts the stone on his chest and, holding the shell tightly in his paws, hits it hard against an improvised anvil. He carries the stone he likes with him under his arm.

The chimpanzee uses a strong stick to make a hole in the termite mound, tear off a thin stem of grass, moisten it with saliva and push it into the hole. Termites rushing to fill the hole stick to the wet blade of grass, which the chimpanzee carefully removes with the help of a blade of grass and takes it into his mouth.

If the fishing gear is not suitable for some reason, the chimpanzee corrects it. So, if there are side shoots on a branch, the monkey removes them. If it is a grass stem and it bends, then she bites off the tip with her teeth. Chimpanzees use stones to enhance some of their actions.

The dolphins tore their lips and wrapped the pieces around their noses, apparently to avoid scratches while hunting on the seabed.

Ants and wasps cut leaves and use them as containers for transporting food and water. And solitary wasps break up clods of earth using small pebbles.

Crafty animals?

Until 1963, when Jane Goodall's work on wild chimpanzees and their tool use was published, most scientists believed that tool use was a trait unique to humans. Half a century later, we are finally beginning to understand that the line between humans and other animals is quite thin. To prove this, we present to our readers descriptions of 15 representatives of the animal kingdom who use tools in Everyday life.

Crows

Primates aside, crows are among the most intelligent animals in the world. Their arsenal of resourceful tricks includes manipulating sticks and branches to get insects out of logs, throwing walnuts in front of moving cars to crack the shells, and even using waste paper as a rake or sponge.

Elephants

Elephants have a distinctive ability to use tools with their flexible trunks. They scratch their backs with sticks, fan themselves with leaves to ward off flies, and chew the bark to make it porous enough to absorb drinking water. But perhaps the most amazing property of elephants is their artistic abilities. Zookeepers give elephants brushes, and these sensual creatures demonstrate extraordinary talent!

Bowerbirds

Most birds show common feature related to tools: nest building. Bowerbirds, commonly seen in Australia and New Guinea, do even more, and their motives are purely romantic. To attract a mate, male bowerbirds build an elaborate home - a carefully constructed "bow", which is often created using various objects such as bottle caps, beads, broken glass and generally anything that can be found and that attracts attention.

Primates

There are endless examples of primate tool use. Let's name a few of them: chimpanzees use sticks to extract termites, stones and wooden tools to crack nuts, sharp spears made from sticks for hunting; gorillas measure the depth of a pond using a staff; orangutans can open a lock with a paper clip; Capuchins make stone knives by striking pieces of flint on the floor until they have sharp edges.

Dolphins

The intelligence of dolphins is well known, but because they do not have arms, but fins, many experts did not assume that these animals use tools. At least, until 2005, when a school of bottlenose dolphins was caught doing an interesting activity: they were tearing their lips and wrapping pieces around their noses, apparently in order to avoid scratches while hunting on the seabed.

Common vultures

Birds are among the most skilled tool users, and one of the most striking examples is the common vulture. One of his favorite delicacies is ostrich eggs, but the thick shell is quite difficult to break. To solve this problem, vultures manipulate stones with their beaks and beat them until the egg cracks.

Octopuses

Octopuses are considered the most intelligent invertebrates on the planet, and they often improvise with tools. This guy in the photo carries two halves of a shell with him and, in case of danger, closes them and thus hides. And another type of octopus tears off the tentacles of jellyfish and swings them like weapons during an attack.

woodpecker finch

There are several species of finches that use tools, but the most famous of them is obviously the Galapagos woodpecker finch. Since its beak cannot always squeeze into small holes where insects live, the bird compensates for this deficiency with the help of a branch of a suitable size, with which it takes out food.

Ants and wasps

Even insects use tools, this is especially true social species such as ants and wasps. One of the most famous examples is the leaf-cutter ant, which created an advanced agricultural system by cutting leaves and using them as containers to transport food and water. And solitary wasps break up clods of earth with the help of small pebbles.

Green night herons

The resourcefulness of green night herons allows them to become excellent fishermen. Instead of entering the water and waiting for prey to surface, these animals use fishing lures to force the fish to come within striking distance. Some night herons have been seen scattering food, such as bread crumbs, onto the water to attract fish.

Sea otters

Even the strong jaws of a sea otter are not always enough to open the shell of a tasty clam or oyster. And here's something cute marine mammal shows intelligence. The otter always carries a stone in the belly area and uses it to open its food.

Archer fish

Most insect-eating fish wait for their prey and then fall awkwardly into the water, but not the archer fish. Instead, the fish of this species use a specially designed mouth to literally shoot insects with a stream of water. And their aim is excellent. An adult shooter almost never misses, and this fish can hit an insect located on a leaf or branch at a distance of no less than three meters.

Crabs

Even crabs use tools. With the help of claws you can perfectly manipulate objects. Some types of crabs dress in sea anemones, pulling them onto his back. Usually they do this for the purpose of camouflage, although in other cases it is probably just to look pretty.

Beavers

Beavers use tools extensively. These animals build their dams to protect themselves from predators and provide Free access to food and calm swimming. Some dams reach 800 meters in length. Beavers build their structures by cutting down trees and covering them with dirt and rocks.

Parrots

Parrots may be the most intelligent birds in the world, and examples of their use of tools abound. Many owners of these birds learn about this skill when the pet, using a piece of metal or plastic, lifts the cage lock. The palm cockatoo (shown here) is known to line its beak with leaves to use a twisting motion to open nuts, much like a human would use a towel to add friction to open a bottle.

The use of tools in one’s life has long been considered a privilege of man; this was one of the main differences between “the intelligent being on Earth" from the rest of the animal world. It turned out that this was not the case. Animals can also use all kinds of devices in their daily lives. How animals use tools is amazing, and they not only use ready-made environmental objects suitable for their purposes, but can also make tools themselves.

These interesting facts are constantly talked about on excursion trips in Turkey, where there are many smart exotic animals. Are you interested in a tour to this amazing country- large selection at kari-ochi.com.ua/tours/kemer/ - study carefully!

Among the Galapagos finches that became famous after the revolutionary discoveries of Charles Darwin, perhaps the most famous is the woodpecker finch. This bird from the order of passerines never ceases to amaze scientists and observers with its instrumental activities. This finch received its specific name “woodpecker” for some similarity with a real woodpecker in its method of obtaining food.

Just like the latter, the woodpecker finch, in search of its favorite food - insects and their larvae - climbs the trunk and taps on it with its beak, puts its head, listening to see if the insect disturbed by the knock has moved there. If the finch’s subtle hearing hears something that interests it, it tears off the bark and finds a passage there. This is where the similarity between the woodpecker and woodpecker finch's methods of obtaining food ends.

The woodpecker finch is not endowed with such a strong beak and such a long tongue as a woodpecker, so it acts like this: having reached the insect's passage, the finch flies in search of a cactus thorn. Armed, the finch takes the thorn by one end and pushes it into the hole, trying to drive the insect out of the shelter. If it is “stubborn” and does not want to get out, the finch pricks it on the tip of a thorn and then pulls out its delicacy.

Among those few animals that constantly use tools to satisfy some vital needs is the sea otter or sea otter. These animals feed on mollusks and sea urchins, both of which are enclosed in protective shells; you can’t handle them with just teeth and claws.

How animals use tools - in order to overcome the shells of a mollusk or the spines of a hedgehog, the sea otter uses a stone. He dives and pulls out a flat stone the size of a fist from the bottom. Then the sea otter turns on its back, puts a stone on its chest and, holding the shell tightly in its paws, hits it hard against an improvised anvil. The sea otter carries the stone it likes under its arm.

Known cases of use by animals various items V medicinal purposes. Hunters have seen how a wounded man used the leaves of a plant called “sheep’s tail” to make a tampon with which he closed a bleeding wound. The literature describes cases where a chimpanzee applied leaves containing tannins to a wound to stop bleeding.

No less Interesting Facts can be cited from the life of birds. So, they saw snipes making tampons from their delicate feathers and plugging gunshot wounds on their chests with them. And once they observed a completely incredible case: a snipe, with the skill of a surgeon, put a kind of “orthopedic splint” on his broken leg.

First, the bird placed two small slivers, covered with a layer of feathers, on both sides of the broken area, and then wrapped leaves on top of its paw. For greater reliability, the “bandage” was impregnated with an adhesive substance. In another episode, described by the naturalist Machen, a snipe's leg was broken in its foot. The wounded snipe not only connected the two broken bones, but also tied his leg with moss and feathers, and wrapped it on top with dry grass soaked in sticky saliva.

Female chimpanzees (males less often) are not averse to eating termites, but in order to get them through the thin cracks of a reliable shelter - a termite mound - they do not have a long, thin tongue, like anteaters. But they have a smart head and skillful hands. How animals use tools - A chimpanzee uses a strong stick to make a hole in a termite mound, tear off a thin stem of grass, moisten it with saliva and push it into the hole. Termites rushing to fill the hole stick to the wet blade of grass, which the chimpanzee carefully removes with the help of a blade of grass and takes it into his mouth.

Chimpanzees use stones to enhance some of their actions. With the help of a stone, for example, a chimpanzee breaks nuts and gets to their tasty contents. In Guinea, chimpanzees use two stones to crack nuts. They place a nut on one stone, which is flatter, and then, using another, rounded stone, they strike the nut.

Using a stick as a lever, the monkey successfully moves large stones that cannot be lifted with its paws. Scientists have seen in nature how chimpanzees get water from inaccessible places.

Russian scientists in natural conditions In the Pskov region, where monkeys were taken for the summer, they observed how chimpanzees examined a turtle with straws, rolled oak silkworm larvae with a stick, examined a hedgehog with small sticks, and threw sticks at a scuba diver who frightened them.

The use of tools for various vital needs is possible only at the appropriate level of development of the animal; low-organized animals are not able to “understand” the benefits in some cases of using tools.

At the same time, it would be absolutely wrong to consider animals that use tools to be the most intelligent. Those of them who constantly use environmental objects to satisfy some of their vital needs “learned” this in the process of evolution, and only this method allowed them to occupy their own ecological niche.

So, only then was the sea otter able to switch to consumption sea mollusks And sea urchins, when one of his distant ancestors “guessed” to break their hard covers with a stone. The wolf does not use tools in the process of its life, but this in no way means that it is stupider than the sea otter. The use of tools arises from the need for them, but the wolf has no such need. Nature has endowed him with everything necessary in order to successfully obtain food for himself without various additional means. The wolf successfully copes with its prey with the help of its teeth, while remaining one of the smartest animals.

We told you how animals use tools, isn’t it surprising?

Figaro is a bird of the Goffina cockatoo family. He lives in a zoo located in Austria near Vienna. Recently, a parrot demonstrated the ability to make simple tools, although no one had taught it to do so.

For a long time it was believed that Goffin's cockatoos did not know how to use tools at all. To the surprise of the researchers, Figaro elegantly demonstrated not only his ability to use, but also to make such tools.

Researchers from Oxford and Vienna photographed Figaro using its strong beak to cut off long tree branches that had penetrated its cage to grab objects beyond the reach of its beak. How did he even learn this?

“Figaro managed to get to the nuts every time we put them there, and each time he made new tools for this,” lead researcher at the University of Vienna Elise Auersperg told the press. - This shows that this type The cockatoo, although not accustomed to using tools, is characterized by curiosity, a relatively large brain and the ability to create tools.”

Birds use bread bait to catch fish s

As it turned out, in the bird kingdom and throughout the animal world, Figaro is not so unique in his ability to use “tools.”

Other species of birds have also mastered the use of sticks and stones for their needs, and some of them even managed to create their own “tools”. Among birds, crows are known for their skill in using tools. Those that live in urban environments have demonstrated their ability to use them when necessary. For example, why not use a passing car to crack a very hard nut? Crows in Japan have been spotted laying hard nuts on pedestrian crossings, waiting for a passing car to do the backbreaking work for them. And when the cars drove away, the crows went to the nuts crushed on the road and feasted on their contents.

Seagulls also showed their ability to use tools. In order to crack the shells of the mollusks they intended to eat, they simply flew high into the sky with them and threw them onto rock ledges. There were also cases of them using pieces of bread as bait for fish that they wanted to eat. There are herons that use popcorn as bait to catch fish.

Making a plug for a water well

When dolphins look for food at the bottom of the sea, they dig the seabed with their nose, as if scanning it. But this is not very convenient for them. In 2005, researchers from Australia and the United States reported a group of dolphins that wrap their noses in a material that protects it but does not prevent them from finding food in the seabed.

Dolphins are known for their love of games. There is evidence that they invented such a game for themselves - manipulating air bubbles using their noses.

Let's not forget the monkeys, demonstrating a variety of techniques for using tools. Dr. Thomas Brown, from the Max Planck Institute in Germany, described in his study a gorilla using a long cane to determine the depth of water in a pool it was crossing. The same scientist observed another gorilla using a board as a bridge when crossing over a deep body of water.

In 2007, African chimpanzees demonstrated to researchers at the University of Iowa the process of making simple spears from wooden sticks, sharpening them with their teeth.

And elephants also demonstrate their abilities. When they come across an electrically energized fence, they use long boards or large rocks that they throw towards the fence to break it or sever the electrical wiring.

In southern Africa, an elephant was observed protecting a well of water from “prying eyes” in order to use it if necessary. He tore the bark from the nearest tree, chewed it until he could big ball, with which he then closed the well with water, like a cork, and sprinkled sand on top. When he was thirsty, he returned to the well, removed the layer of sand, opened the cap and drank the water.

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