‘Amazing’ similarities between chimpanzee and human conversations – study

The study found that when gesturing to each other in the wild, chimpanzees left similar gaps before responding to those left during conversations between humans

Communication helps chimpanzees avoid conflict and co-ordinate. Picture: Adrian Soldati/PA

Chimpanzees in the wild take it in turns to “speak” during conversations in the same way humans do, researchers have found.

The study, led by scientists at the University of St Andrews, Fife, found that when gesturing to each other in the wild, chimpanzees left similar gaps before responding to those left during conversations between humans.