Variety is the spice of life and we try to provide that for the chimpanzees even in their meals. Most of their diet is designed, as much as is possible, to simulate a natural chimpanzee diet and, as such, consists of primarily fresh fruit and vegetables. This is supplemented with nuts, seeds, and chow to provide protein sources.

Now it can, on occasion, become a challenge to accommodate personal preference in addition to providing creative variation whenever your options are fruit or vegetables. Often the refrigerator is full of squash varietals, especially during the fall and, as it happens, the chimpanzees are not that fond of raw squash.

I’m not sure who first thought to bake the squash but whoever it was deserves chimpanzee food squeaks! It turns out that, although the chimpanzees would rather not eat squash raw, if you bake it it becomes an exciting and delectable treat. So, in the spirit of fall baking and for the sake of a little novelty, I decided to see what happens if you bake and serve pumpkin for dinner. The result?

Seven thrilled chimpanzees, with the accompanying food squeaks of joy. Baked pumpkin, for the win!

Baked pumpkin dinner:

Here is Missy (on the left) and Foxie (on the right) being served some delicious baked pumpkin in the greenhouse:

Jody (on the left) and Jamie (on the right) enjoying the pumpkin:

And, last but not least, Annie eating her serving of pumpkin: