Monkey Around with Musical Instruments
Humans aren't the only species crafting musical instruments. Wild Bornean orangutans make their own musical instruments out of twig leaves. While they are no Stradivarius or Les Paul, orangutans use the leaves to make crude musical instruments to alter the sound of their calls to ward off predators.
Scientists say this music-making behavior marks the first time animals have been observed using a tool to help communicate.
Generally, orangutans make a sound known as a kiss squeak, by a sharp intake of air through pursed lips. Kiss squeaks occur when an orangutan is stuck in a tight spot, such as being threatened by another animal, or even a human. There are three types of kiss squeaks: the first with lips only, the second with the hand in front of the lips, and the third with leaves held in a bundle in front of the mouth.
The leaves give the kiss squeak a lower frequency, making the call sound bigger to a potential predator.
