I Wanna Be Like You Hoo Hoo
Chimps and humans are remarkably similar when it comes to genetics but this week we investigate what would happen if each was raised by the other species?
You've heard the expression 'raised by wolves' but what would actually happen if a baby was raised by chimpanzees?
Humans and chimps are nearly 98 per cent similar when it comes to their genetics but their physical differences set them apart from an early age, and while our bigger brains have enabled us to develop language and speech, it turns out that primates are far than us at spatial navigation. Dara and Hannah discover this firsthand when they undertake - and fail - a memory test that is routinely aced by our ape cousins.
If you have a scientific mystery for the team to investigate, contact them on curiouscases@bbc.co.uk
Contributors:
Professor Gilly Forrester - University of Sussex
Professor Andrew Whiten - University of St Andrews
Stephanie LaFarge - Participant in Project Nim
Producer: Marijke Peters
Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem
A BBC Studios Production
On radio
Broadcasts
- Sat 14 Nov 202610:00BBC Radio 4
- Mon 16 Nov 202615:30BBC Radio 4
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Podcast
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Curious Cases
Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain tackle listeners' conundrums with the power of science!
