Abstract
Chimpanzees of the Sonso community, Budongo Forest, Uganda were observed eating clay and drinking clay-water from waterholes. We show that clay, clay-rich water, and clay obtained with leaf sponges, provide a range of minerals in different concentrations. The presence of aluminium in the clay consumed indicates that it takes the form of kaolinite. We discuss the contribution of clay geophagy to the mineral intake of the Sonso chimpanzees and show that clay eaten using leaf sponges is particularly rich in minerals. We show that termite mound soil, also regularly consumed, is rich in minerals. We discuss the frequency of clay and termite soil geophagy in the context of the disappearance from Budongo Forest of a formerly rich source of minerals, the decaying pith of Raphia farinifera palms.
Highlights
The chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of the Sonso community in the Budongo Forest Reserve, Western Uganda, have been studied continuously since 1990
All samples were collected by members of the Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS) from within the Budongo Forest Reserve
Tobacco growing Small scale Large scale Reducing, ended 2011 None of Al, indicating that the clay may take the form of kaolinite, an ingredient of clays eaten elsewhere for their digestive properties [6]. 6 out of 8 elements, K, P, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Mg, were all present in high concentrations in the clay-containing leaf sponges, as compared to clay obtained in clay-water or via direct consumption
Summary
The chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of the Sonso community in the Budongo Forest Reserve, Western Uganda, have been studied continuously since 1990. Their diet consists in the main (80% or more) of fruits and leaves, supplemented by flowers, bark, insects, and meat [1]. In recent years they have increasingly been seen eating clay from clay pits, and drinking clay in suspension in water from holes under trees. The analysis shows that clay consumption provides the PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0134075 July 28, 2015
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