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If you read the article it says the Orangutan attempted to fish this way after watching humans do it, but was unsuccessful. Still a very cool picture, and amaz
by burlesona 7y ago
If you read the article it says the Orangutan attempted to fish this way after watching humans do it, but was unsuccessful.
Still a very cool picture, and amazing to see the orangutan learn by observation like that.
- HenryBemis 7y agoIt would be interesting if other Orangutans follow suite and either monitor humans or each other trying this "new method" and eventually add this (use of spear) in other aspects of their life.
- toasterlovin 7y agoMost humans can’t really successfully master complex skills without instruction, though. It would be interesting to see if orangutans can learn to fish with a little help from a teacher.
- tathougies 7y ago> Most humans can’t really successfully master complex skills without instruction, though. It would be interesting to see if orangutans can learn to fish with a little help from a teacher. I think most humans could learn how to spear a fish without instruction after enough trial and error.
- 29athrowaway 7y agoHuman shoulder muscles/tendons evolved so they can store more elasticity than our ancestors making us better at throwing. Our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, is stronger than a human but can throw a spear at about 20 mph. A human athlete can throw a spear at 90 mph. Orangutans can learn how to throw faster but they cannot change their anatomy, although a spear thrower could help.
- mongol 7y agoHow fast can an average human throw?
- lucideer 7y agoI can't imagine that throwing speed (or—related—throwing force) would be a big limiting factor for spear fishing. Reflexes/reaction speeds would be more relevant. Not sure how other primates compare to us here, but likely pretty well for any animal living in the wild compared to modern urbanised humans.