Chimps show off their 'signature' drum beats

Image source, A Soldati

Scientists say that wild Chimpanzees have their own drumming style.

Chimpanzees in the Ugandan rainforest drum out messages to one another on tree roots, according to researchers.

The scientists say that they can send information over long distances, revealing who they are and what they're doing.

The findings can be found in the journal.

The apes use tree roots as a large wooden surface to drum on with their hands and feet.

She said that hitting the roots hard would make the sound travel through the forest.

It was a great way for us to find the different Chimpanzees we were looking for. We were certain that they could do it as well.

Scientists found that each male Chimpanzees uses a different pattern of beats. Long-distance vocalisations are combined with it. Different animals play different instruments in their calls.

The lead researcher on the study, a PhD student from the University of Vienna, said that some people have a more regular rhythm than others.

She said she was surprised that she was able to recognize the person who was drumming. It's easy to notice their drumming rhythms.

According to Ms Eleuteri, one young male chimp has been identified as the John Bonham of the forest.

"He makes these very long drumming bouts with a lot of beats and you can tell them from far away."

When they were travelling, the animals used their signature rhythm. The researchers think that a chimp has a decision to make.

If you're showing off to a group of people, you might not want the big alpha male who's around the corner to know who you are. You don't want to let the game go to waste.

Chimpanzees greet each other when they meet, but they don't seem to say goodbye when they leave the forest.

Dr Hobaiter said that the Chimpanzees might not need to say goodbye because they are able to keep in touch.

The long distance signals allow the Chimpanzees to check in with each other. It might help us to understand why the difference between humans and Chimpanzees might have come about.

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