At the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, one group of captive chimps has taken to dangling grass out of their ears, a trend researchers first spotted back in 2010, originally reported on by Live Science<\/a>. <\/p>\n But now, a second chimp clique has upped the ante <\/a>\u2014 by sticking it where the sun don\u2019t shine.<\/p>\n Yes, you read that right. A new study published<\/a> July 4 in the journal \u201cBehaviour\u201d reveals the latest primate pastime involves wedging grass into their rectums and letting it hang like the world\u2019s worst tail.<\/p>\n Why? Even the experts are scratching their heads.<\/p>\n The first trendsetter, a female chimp named Julie, kicked off the grassy-ear craze over a decade ago.<\/p>\n After she died in 2013, her son and a few others kept the tradition alive. But it wasn\u2019t until 2023 that the butt-branch brigade burst onto the scene.<\/p>\n Enter Juma \u2014 a male chimp and apparent innovator \u2014 who debuted the rear-end version of the fad, which spread faster than lice in a middle school locker room.<\/p>\n Within a week, his entire group was in on the gag \u2014 er, grass.<\/p>\n Researchers, who watched the apes closely over a year, say the trend isn\u2019t about hygiene or comfort. It\u2019s all about clout.<\/p>\n \u201cIn captivity, they have more free time than in the wild,\u201d van Leeuwen said. \u201cThey don\u2019t have to stay as alert or spend as much time searching for food.\u201d<\/p>\n So with extra downtime and no TikTok to scroll, these chimps are showing off their flair \u2014 and perhaps strengthening their friend groups in the process.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could also serve a social purpose,\u201d van Leeuwen added. \u201cBy copying someone else\u2019s behaviour, you show that you notice and maybe even like that individual. So, it might help strengthen social bonds and create a sense of belonging within the group, just like it does in humans.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Chimpanzee](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/107913677.jpg\")
A new study published July 4 uncovers the chimps\u2019 latest pastime: stuffing grass up their behinds and letting it dangle like a sad excuse for a tail. Paul \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/107913616.jpg\")
Experts say life in captivity gives chimps plenty of downtime \u2014 with meals delivered and no predators to dodge, they\u2019ve got extra time to get weird. Kitch Bain \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n