Monkeying Around

It’s official: humans aren’t the only ones who can pretend. A new study shows our closest living relatives, apes, can play make-believe too. That’s right, they’re having tea parties and pretending to be someone they’re not – just like us.

The Study

Researchers found that apes can use objects in imaginative ways, like using a stick as a sword or a rock as a phone. This blows the long-held theory that only humans have the ability to imagine and play pretend. It won’t be long before we’re inviting them to our fantasy football leagues.

So, what does this mean for our self-proclaimed title as the most imaginative species? Don’t worry, we won’t let it go to our heads – or should I say, we won’t let it go to the apes’ heads. It’s a ridiculous thought, but hey, at least they’re not as bored as we are with our own fantasy novels.