A groundbreaking study has uncovered notable differences in the nut-cracking abilities of chimpanzees within the same group, shedding new light on their cognitive and motor skills. Researchers analyzed extensive video footage of wild chimpanzees from Bossou, Guinea, where they observed 3,882 instances of chimps attempting to crack open nuts using stones as tools. The study found varying levels of efficiency among individuals, indicating differences in cognitive abilities and physical dexterity within the chimpanzee community.

Published in Nature Human Behavior, the study was conducted by experts from the University of Oxford and Chubu Gakuin University. The research team evaluated five key factors to assess the chimpanzees' nut-cracking abilities: the time taken to crack a nut, the number of strikes required, success rates, instances of nuts being displaced, and the frequency with which chimps switched rocks during the task. These findings suggest that while the task of nut-cracking seems simple, it requires a combination of cognitive processing and motor skills to perform effectively.

The study's results revealed significant variations in success rates among chimpanzees. While some individuals cracked nuts quickly and efficiently, others struggled, with some taking twice as long or failing entirely. The study noted that proficiency generally improved with age, with no major differences observed between male and female chimps. These findings underscore the complexity of chimpanzee behavior and provide valuable insights into their problem-solving abilities, which may reflect early stages of technological advancement in humans.