Gombe and Mahale are two national parks in Tanzania known for their chimpanzee populations. While both populations of chimpanzees exhibit tool use and engage in ant/termite eating, there are some differences between the Gombe chimps and Mahale chimps in these behaviors.
Tool use: Both Gombe and Mahale chimpanzees are known to use tools, but their tool preferences and techniques can differ. In Gombe, chimpanzees are well-known for their use of sticks as tools for various purposes. They use them to extract termites from termite mounds and also employ them as weapons for hunting small mammals. Gombe chimps also use stones as tools to crack open nuts. In contrast, Mahale chimpanzees have been observed using different types of tools, including sticks, rocks, and leaves. They use sticks to fish for termites, but their tool use repertoire is not as extensively documented as in Gombe.
Ant/termite eating: Both Gombe and Mahale chimps engage in ant and termite eating, a behavior known as "ant dipping" or "termite fishing." However, the techniques used can vary. In Gombe, chimpanzees have been observed using long sticks to probe termite mounds and extract termites for consumption. They insert the stick into the termite mound, and the termites latch onto the stick, allowing the chimps to pull them out and eat them. In Mahale, the technique is similar, but some individuals have also been observed using their hands to pick up termites directly from the ground or from within rotten logs.
It's important to note that chimpanzee behaviors can vary within and between populations, and individual chimpanzees may exhibit different levels of skill and innovation in tool use and ant/termite eating. The specific behaviors and techniques mentioned here are general patterns observed in Gombe and Mahale, but there may be variations and nuances within each population.