Pairs of adult males in a community of wild African chimps often communicate with gestures, indicating that they possess a basic knowledge of one another’s wants and intentions, two researchers contend. Many scientists attribute the capacity to discern others’ thoughts and feelings only to people.
The chimp encounters proceed as follows: One animal makes an exaggerated scratching movement on part of his body, such as his forehead, in front of a comrade, who then grooms the indicated spot.
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