“It thrusts its spear into the cavity, killing or severely wounding any dozing animal inside before pulling out its skewered quarry…”

Did you know there are animals that use weapons to kill? The chimpanzees that live in the savannahs of Senegal are such animals.

There is considerably less food available in this arid habitat than in the forests occupied by other populations, so the great apes of the savannah have learned to fashion and use spears to take advantage of one particular prey item: the galagos (bush babies) that spend the day asleep in inaccessible tree holes.

Individuals snap off branches (usually about 75cm in length) and, after removing the leaves, sharpen the ends using their teeth.

A hunter then climbs towards a hole and thrusts its spear into the cavity, killing or severely wounding any dozing galago inside before pulling out its skewered quarry.

“Females, who hunt with spears more than males, can use these tools to hunt just as well but without the need to chase down prey,” says Jill Pruetz, director of the Fongoli Savanna Chimpanzee Project. “This not only saves energy but allows them to hunt with their babies in tow, which avoids leaving them alone and at risk from predation.”

This article by Professor Ben Garrod was first published by Discover Wildlife on 1 September 2026.

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