The Right Tool for the Job

Ostrich eggs make a large and nutritious meal for those who can crack the eggs’ thick shells. The shells can be as thick as a pane of glass and often won’t break if an adult human sits on one. There have even been reports of lions struggling to smash the eggs with their jaws! However, one bird has figured out how to use rocks to break these tough shells to reach the tasty treat inside. 

Egyptian vultures are chicken-sized scavengers found in North Africa, West Asia, India, and southwestern Europe. The birds pick up stones with their beaks and fling them at ostrich eggs until they crack. But these birds won’t use just any old stone; they prefer rounded rocks and will travel great distances—sometimes even miles—to find them! Ostriches lay more eggs than they can care for. When one rolls out of the nest, Egyptian vultures seize the opportunity and get smashing.

Ostrich eggs can be a large and nutritious meal. But you have to crack their thick shells first. The eggshells can be as thick as a pane of glass. The shells often won’t break if an adult human sits on them! Even lions have struggled to smash the eggs with their jaws. But one bird has figured out how to use rocks to break the shells and reach the tasty treat inside. 

Egyptian vultures live in North Africa, West Asia, India, and southwestern Europe. They’re about the size of chickens. The birds pick up stones with their beaks. Then they fling them at ostrich eggs until the shells crack. But these birds won’t use just any stone. They prefer rounded rocks. They sometimes travel miles to find just the right one! Ostriches lay more eggs than they can care for. When one rolls out of the nest, Egyptian vultures seize their chance and get smashing.

The coconut octopus would much rather eat a crab or a clam than the fruit the animal’s named after. Its name actually comes from its use of coconut shells as tools. This octopus spends much of its life carrying coconut shells. While the shell makes an excellent hiding spot from predators, scientists have found that these creatures also use the shells as tools for defense. That makes them the first invertebrates—or animals without backbones—known to use tools. Predators not fooled by the disguise have to break through the shell, which can be tougher to crack than a human skull. The size, shape, and sturdiness of coconut shells make them a perfect multipurpose tool for the coconut octopus. Not only does it use them for armor and camouflage, but they’re also a perfect shelter and nursery spot for eggs!

Despite its name, the coconut octopus doesn’t eat coconuts. It would much rather munch on a crab or a clam. But this octopus does use coconut shells as tools. It actually spends much of its life carrying the shells around! Coconut shells make an excellent hiding spot from predators. Scientists have found that the octopuses use them as armor too. They’re the first invertebrates—or animals without backbones—known to use tools. 

A predator may notice the octopus inside a coconut shell. But it would have to break through the shell to eat the invertebrate. Coconut shells can be tougher to crack than a human skull! Their size, shape, and sturdiness make them a perfect tool for the coconut octopus. The animals even use the shells as nurseries for their eggs!

Of all the nonhuman animals known to use tools, no species uses more than the chimpanzee. This highly intelligent primate uses dozens of tools, like stones to crack nuts, absorbent leaves to transport water, and sticks and blades of grass to fish termites out of nests. 

Termite “fishing” was discovered in 1960 by primatologist Jane Goodall. She observed chimps plucking long blades of grass, sticking them into termite nests, and eating the termites that climbed onto the grass. This was the first documented case of an animal using a tool—something thought to be unique to humans. When Goodall told her mentor Louis S. B. Leakey, a paleoanthropologist who studied early humans, about her discovery, he said, “Now we must redefine ‘tool,’ redefine ‘man,’ or accept chimpanzees as human.”

There are many animals known to use tools. But apart from humans, chimpanzees use them the most. The extremely smart apes use dozens of different tools. These include stones to crack nuts, leaves to transport water, and sticks or blades of grass to fish termites out of nests. 

Termite “fishing” was discovered by primatologist Jane Goodall. She first observed it in 1960. Chimps would pluck long blades of grass and stick them into termite nests. Then they would eat the termites that climbed onto the grass. This was the first recorded case of an animal using a tool. Until then, scientists thought only humans could do so. Goodall told her mentor, Louis S. B. Leakey, about her discovery. He studied early humans. “Now we must redefine ‘tool,’ redefine ‘man,’ or accept chimpanzees as human,” he said.