成人快手

Researchers studying chimps in Uganda's Budongo Forest have found that the animals drum out messages to one another on tree roots. The scientists say that the signature rhythms allow them to send information over long distances, revealing who is where, and what they are doing.

Dr Catherine Hobaiter from the University of St Andrews explains the findings. She says: "If you look at how many beats, and speed, whether or not it's a regular rhythm, or there's an extra flourish, we're actually able to discriminate."

"Each of the male chimpanzees have their own drumming style, their own way of making those beats," she adds. The chimps tend to give these "signature styles" when they are travelling, as a way of communicating to family members, friends or allies or find each other again.

"These booming low frequency sounds will travel 1-2km through the forest. They encode both their individual identity, what they're doing and where they are," says Dr Hobaiter.

(Photo: Chimpanzeesin Budongo Forest Reserve. Credit: Rolf Schulten/Getty Images)

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