A recent study published in Current Biology has revealed that chimpanzees drum on tree roots with a regular rhythm, possibly to communicate across long distances. The research focused on wild chimpanzees in African rainforests, where individuals were observed pounding large buttress roots that produce low-frequency sounds. These rhythmic patterns can travel over a kilometer through the dense forest. Experts believe the drumming serves as a social tool, allowing chimpanzees to signal their location, direction, or presence to others. Scientists from the University of St Andrews and CNRS in France explained that each chimpanzee has a distinctive beat pattern, which may serve as an “individual signature.” The study analyzed 371 drumming events and found clear regional variations: western chimpanzees preferred consistent rhythms, while eastern groups used mixed intervals.

Researchers emphasized that this rhythmic behavior predates modern humans and may be linked to early evolutionary communication systems. The ability to generate and respond to rhythmic patterns is considered cognitively sophisticated and possibly connected to the development of language. Furthermore, chimpanzees are known to use specific roots based on their acoustic properties, showing a deliberate and selective approach. The findings suggest a deeper level of intentionality in chimpanzee behavior, challenging previous assumptions about non-human animal communication. In a related study from Science Advances, researchers discovered that chimpanzees can combine calls with different meanings to convey complex social messages. Together, these studies illuminate the nuanced and multi-layered ways in which chimpanzees interact, revealing their advanced cognitive abilities and emphasizing the continuity between human and primate communication systems.