Why do gorillas and chimpanzees walk on their knuckles?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do gorillas and chimpanzees walk on their knuckles?

The Big Idea

Gorillas and chimps walk on their knuckles! Curled fingers down! Why?

Curled Fingers

Step one: Curled Fingers. When gorillas and chimpanzees walk on the ground, they curl their fingers and rest on their knuckles. Their arms are long, so they reach the ground easily.

Climbing Hands

Step two: Climbing Hands. Their fingers are strong and good at gripping branches. Walking on knuckles protects the fingers' soft parts.

Clever Walking

Step three: Clever Walking. Knuckle walking keeps the fingers ready for climbing. It's a clever way to walk on all fours while keeping hands ready to climb. Gorillas also sometimes stand up on two legs.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Rested on. Long. Protected. Ready.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Gorillas also sometimes stand up on two legs. Knuckles take the weight. Fingers stay protected. Hands stay ready to climb.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! On a soft carpet, get on all fours. Curl your hands into fists. Crawl a short way on your knuckles. Is it easy or hard? Rest your wrists after!

Outro

Gorillas and chimpanzees walk on their knuckles with curled fingers. This protects the soft parts of their strong, gripping fingers and keeps their hands ready for climbing while they walk on all fours. Science is amazing! Keep wondering and keep exploring! Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!