Permission
March 3, 2014 by Debbie -
The last couple of days we’ve been experiencing some extra snow fall, which means the chimps get to snack on some fresh snow, which they love! Elizabeth and I filled up the chimps’ sandbox with snow and added some troll dolls for some CSNW flair.
Everyone was snacking on the snow, including of course Jamie. Since she is the boss, the other chimps wanted to make sure they were okay to snack on the snow, too. That’s completely natural chimpanzee behavior, and something that is essential to their society. Jamie was fine with the other chimps enjoying the snow, there was plenty to go around, and she wasn’t feeling particularly territorial of it.
When Jody asked for Jamie’s permission, she displayed perfect reassurance behaviors. She approached with a drooped lip, making it clear that she was not being at all aggressive or threatening. Then she reached out toward Jamie as if to say “is it okay if I join?” Jamie didn’t disapprove, so Jody’s next move was to give Jamie a quick kiss on the mouth. Jamie reciprocated and gave Jody permission by giving Jody a kiss back on her brow ridge. Jody then knew it was fine with Jamie that she join in, and immediately started snacking.
6 Comments
Subscribe to the Blog and
Get Notified of New Posts First!
If you like what see, be sure to subscribe. Personally written by the caregivers themselves, 365 days a year, you’ll get an insiders glimpse of all the goings on at the sanctuary. Follow us!
Put some winter clothes on those trolls! It looks cold in there. Then again maybe they like it – they do have big smiles on their faces. 🙂 In all seriousness though, chimp behavior is fascinating. I love learning about these amazing creatures.
Wow — more than a little like “The Godfather.”
Wow, very interesting chimp etiquette, manners, rules, and protocol,,
I love the photo of Jody smiling,, she is so BEAUTIFUL..
Its wonderful to see how well developed they all have become …
The chimp dynamics are amazing and incredible,
HEALING at CSNW is a wonderful blessing,
T
I really enjoy when you explain an event that we, as readers, might not notice or see as a ‘chimp beviour’.
This is a terrific blog, educational and encouraging that the chimps, after being confined in small cages for decades with no interaction with each other, must instinctly know wild chimp behavior. It is so interesting and exciting to see these chimps become as authentic as they can be in a captive situation.
I love the different mouth expressions of Jamie.