Alarm Calling and Reassurance Seeking
September 5, 2015 by Diana -
It’s not always possible or easy to catch brief moments that are great examples of chimpanzee behavior. Today, I was lucky to have the camera when this episode happened on the hill; and the summer visitors were lucky to have seen it in person!
In the video below, you’ll hear the distinctive sound of chimpanzee alarm calls and see a wonderful example of Missy reaching out in a reassurance-seeking gesture.
Here are the still photos that were in the video:
Jamie chasing off the intruder:
Negra continuing to forage as Jamie takes care of the threat:
This is one of my very favorite photos of Jamie, so I like to share it often:
15 Comments
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The Boss Lady had things under control! It’s wonderful how the chimps comfort each other.
WOW! That was so cool!! A few questions:
Was Missy asking for reassurance or trying to give reassurance to Foxie and Annie with her out stretched hand/arm? I ask because I think of Annie and Foxie being more fearful than Missy.
And where was Negra during all this? Was she in her structure or close to the greenhouse away from harms way?
How interesting for the visitors to witness such activity (and sounds!.
And I LOVE that photo of beautiful Boss Jamie too. There is smoothing in Jamie’s eyes that is captivating.
Missy was seeking reassurance with the outstretched arm. Reassurance seeking occurs between different chimps and goes both ways (high ranking to low ranking and vice versa), depending on the context. Negra was near the cabin, collecting food while keeping her eye on things at a bit of a distance. I love Jamie’s eyes in that photo too – full of hope.
Thanks for the reply! Very interesting indeed. Chimpanzees can react so quickly sometimes so I have to play your videos a few times to really catch the details.
Sorry but one more question on reassurance. Why didn’t Missy reach out to Jamie for reassurance since Jamie was the closest to her? This is interesting to me and why I thought it was Missy ‘offering’ reassurance instead of ‘seeking’ it from Foxie and Annie. Or did Missy know that with Jamie close (and Jamie being the Boss) she would “take over”?
I would say, in this instance, Missy’s bid for reassurance was looking for acknowledgment and potential back up from the others. Jamie was already right there, so Missy didn’t need this reassurance from Jamie. Foxie is usually among the group to investigate or go after threats, and Annie generally is there to support Missy is any situation, so it makes sense that Missy was checking in on them. In another context, for example if Missy was worried that she had offended Jamie, her reassurance seeking would be specifically directed toward Jamie, but in this case it was more of a desire for the others to provide a nod to Missy that they took her seriously and were there for her / the group if needed.
Gottcha. I find chimpanzee behavior so interesting, sorry to be a pest! This explanation makes it clear to me and I now have a better understanding as to what Missy was thinking. Thanks for your time!
You’re not a pest, Kathleen! I love the great questions!
So happy they are FREE outside to do this type of bonding….
Thank you for capturing this moment! So wonderful to see the bonds and the trust between them.
Spectacular blog. To witness this natural behavior and capture it as it is happening is truly a blessing. Thank you for sharing and thank you Jamie for being the boss and protector of the troop.
Loved this! Best moment was Missy reaching out to make sure her family members were safe!!! Loved it!! Thank you!!
I was lucky to be one of the visitors who got to see this in person yesterday. What we all could learn from these rare folks with whom we share 98% of the same DNA! Thank you CSNW!
Lucky you!
I keep this clip on my FB timeline and watch it often! It just melts my heart every time! Thank you so very much for sharing a glimpse into their lives and explaining their social structure. It is intriguing. Much love and respect to the caregivers, and chimps of course!!!
Thank you, Maggie!