# Wild chimpanzee termite mound inspections converge with the onset of rain

## TL;DR

Wild chimpanzees adjust their termite foraging behavior in response to rainfall patterns, suggesting they can predict seasonal changes.

## Contribution

This study provides evidence that chimpanzees plan foraging activities based on seasonal rainfall trends.

## Key findings

- Chimpanzees initiated termite foraging in association with rainfall trends.
- They adjusted tool preparation periods in anticipation of termite mound inspections.
- The findings suggest implications for hominin decision-making and seasonal landscape use.

## Abstract

How and when to inspect for hidden and ephemeral food sources presents a cognitive challenge for wild animals. Observational data suggests a high degree of seasonality in the chimpanzees’ preferred termite prey at the site of Issa Valley, Tanzania. This allows us to consider hypotheses on chimpanzees’ ability to predict termite activity and to efficiently forage for termites based on seasonal rainfall trends. We analyzed 6806 min (113 h) of camera trap videos recorded over 48 months (from 2016–2019) from termite mounds and documented chimpanzee inspection behavior in the Issa Valley, western Tanzania. Our results suggest that Issa chimpanzees initiated foraging for termites, adjusted the period in which they prepared tools in advance, and inspected termite mounds in association with rainfall trends. Chimpanzee planning and foraging behaviors have implications for hominin decision making, forethought, and seasonal landscape utilization.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-90382-9.