HUMANS ARE NOT THE ONLY SPECIES CAPABLE OF FRIENDSHIP
Best friends really are for ever – or at least six million years.
A study found that chimps, like people, form close friendships.
And just like us, they are drawn to pals with similar personality traits.
The finding suggests that the phenomenon has its origins in the mists of time, when chimps and humans shared a common ancestor.
In other words, the first 'best friends' likely walked the Earth at least six million years ago.
The Austrian and Swiss researchers began by rating the personality traits of chimp colonies in two Dutch zoos. Sociability, for instance, was measured by noting how often one of the creatures was within six feet of another chimp.
Grooming – in which the removal of dead skin, dirt and parasites builds bonds – was also noted.
To work out who was friends with who, the researchers studied how often one chimp sat or lay in physical contact with another.
This could include sitting side-by-side, back to back, or resting a whole leg or arm on another animal – all clear signs of friendship.
Analysis revealed the closest friends to have similar personality traits.
Or, as the researchers put it: 'Chimps of a feather sit together.' Jorg Massen, of the University of Vienna, said: 'We found that, especially among unrelated friends, the most sociable and bold individuals preferred the company of other highly sociable and bold individuals, whereas the shy and less sociable ones spent time with other similarly aloof and shy chimpanzees.'
Writing in the journal Evolution of Human Behavior, he said that humans are also make friends with those who are as outgoing, friendly and daring as ourselves.
Dr Massen said: 'It appears that what draws and keeps both chimpanzee and human friends together is similarity in gregariousness and boldness, suggesting that preference for self-like friends dates back to our last common ancestor.'
He added that teaming up with someone of similar character can help build trust, while friendships between daring chimps would help when trying to fight off predators.
A study found that chimps, like people, form close friendships.
And just like us, they are drawn to pals with similar personality traits.
The finding suggests that the phenomenon has its origins in the mists of time, when chimps and humans shared a common ancestor.
In other words, the first 'best friends' likely walked the Earth at least six million years ago.
The Austrian and Swiss researchers began by rating the personality traits of chimp colonies in two Dutch zoos. Sociability, for instance, was measured by noting how often one of the creatures was within six feet of another chimp.
Grooming – in which the removal of dead skin, dirt and parasites builds bonds – was also noted.
To work out who was friends with who, the researchers studied how often one chimp sat or lay in physical contact with another.
This could include sitting side-by-side, back to back, or resting a whole leg or arm on another animal – all clear signs of friendship.
Analysis revealed the closest friends to have similar personality traits.
Or, as the researchers put it: 'Chimps of a feather sit together.' Jorg Massen, of the University of Vienna, said: 'We found that, especially among unrelated friends, the most sociable and bold individuals preferred the company of other highly sociable and bold individuals, whereas the shy and less sociable ones spent time with other similarly aloof and shy chimpanzees.'
Writing in the journal Evolution of Human Behavior, he said that humans are also make friends with those who are as outgoing, friendly and daring as ourselves.
Dr Massen said: 'It appears that what draws and keeps both chimpanzee and human friends together is similarity in gregariousness and boldness, suggesting that preference for self-like friends dates back to our last common ancestor.'
He added that teaming up with someone of similar character can help build trust, while friendships between daring chimps would help when trying to fight off predators.
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