Evolutionary biologist Elie Dolgin contributed to this answer. Many animals use tools, and all animals modify their environment. Chimps use sticks to fish termites. Termites build mounds to house their colonies. Worms dig holes through soil. Beavers build dams and alter water currents. Hermit crabs use other animal's shells to protect themselves from the elements. These are just a few small examples. There are thousands more. Many animals do things just for the enjoyment of it. For instance, spinner dolphins jump out of the water and spin for fun. Dogs chase balls, or their tails. Humans just do a lot more of all this stuff. We are not doing anything "artificial" any more than any other animal is. Everything humans do is "natural" for the kind of animal we are.