Spontaneous Object Sharing in Captive Chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes )

Abstract

Episodes of object transfer were observed among 3 adult and 2 juvenile unrelated females chimpanzees, kept in adjacent cages with bars between them. Only the adult females had small objects available in their cage only juveniles were observed to request them. Although the possessors could easily prevent transfers, 15 episodes of active sharing were recorded, including spontaneous unsolicited donations, sharing preceded by requests, as well as transfers under obnoxious solicitation.