Apes, a group of tailless primates, encompass a diverse range of species including chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, gibbons, and humans. Unlike monkeys, which typically possess tails and are generally smaller, apes are characterized by their larger size, broader chests, and more complex brains. A common question arises regarding their interaction with water: do apes swim, and if not, why do they often avoid deep bodies of water?
Apes and Their General Relationship with Water
Most great apes are not natural swimmers and generally exhibit an aversion to deep water. This behavior stems from a combination of physical characteristics and evolutionary history. Their bodies are dense, with a high muscle-to-fat ratio, which reduces buoyancy and causes them to sink rather than float.
Apes evolved in environments that did not necessitate swimming for survival, primarily terrestrial and arboreal habitats. Their ancestors developed alternative methods for crossing waterways, such as wading through shallow areas or utilizing natural bridges like fallen logs.
Furthermore, their anatomical structure, with limbs adapted for climbing and moving on land, is not suited for efficient aquatic propulsion. Their rigid spinal structures and upward-facing nostrils also make swimming challenging, as water can easily enter their nasal passages. This innate caution around deep water may also be an evolved survival mechanism, as drowning has been observed in captive apes.
When Apes Do Swim: Notable Exceptions
While most great apes avoid deep water, there are documented instances of some individuals learning to swim, particularly under human care. These cases are exceptions to the general rule and highlight the role of learned behavior and specific environmental conditions.
For example, Cooper, a chimpanzee raised by humans, learned to swim and dive comfortably in a swimming pool, initially showing fear but later embracing the water. Similarly, Suryia, an orangutan also raised in captivity, demonstrated swimming and diving abilities, utilizing a leg movement akin to a human breaststroke’s “frog kick.”
These observations challenge the long-held assumption that apes are entirely incapable of swimming. Their swimming technique, which differs from the instinctive “dog-paddle” seen in most other mammals, suggests it is a learned adaptation rather than a natural ability, possibly influenced by their arboreal ancestry.
Water Use Beyond Swimming
Beyond intentional swimming, apes interact with water in various essential ways for survival and daily life. They consistently seek out water for drinking, obtaining it from natural sources like pools and rivers. Apes have been observed using a “dipping-and-licking” method, submerging their hands to soak up water and then bringing their wet hands to their mouths. Some chimpanzees have even demonstrated ingenuity by digging holes near murky ponds to access cleaner, filtered water.
Hygiene is another aspect of ape-water interaction. Orangutans have been documented washing their hands, sometimes even mimicking human behavior by using soap after observing people. A chimpanzee was also observed washing a photographer’s hands after being offered water, suggesting an understanding of cleanliness.
Apes also engage in playful behaviors with water, particularly in shallow areas. Young gorillas and bonobos, and sometimes adults, enjoy splashing and playing in puddles or shallow streams. Furthermore, orangutans have shown problem-solving skills by using water as a tool to raise the level of objects in a container, allowing them to retrieve items like peanuts.