A kiss
September 28, 2018 by J.B. -
This afternoon, Jody went outside to pick some raspberry bushes. On her way back, she passed by Missy and the two stopped for a kiss.
It’s not uncommon for chimpanzees to kiss like this. Sometimes these kisses resemble our own, with one chimpanzee’s lips pressed against the cheek, lips, or hand of another chimpanzee. Other times they more closely resemble a bite, but with the lips covering the teeth, and may be placed anywhere on the body. Kisses can serve as a greeting, a form or reassurance, or an act of submission. They can reduce tension in moments of conflict, and may serve as a request for permission to hold onto something valuable like food (as Jody may be doing in the photo above) or one’s place in a desirable location. At times they are rough and playful, accompanied by panting or laughter. At other times, they are gentle and loving.
My favorite photo of a kiss is still the one below. When Annie was frightened and screamed for reassurance, Missy leapt to her side and allowed Annie to give her a big open mouth kiss on the lips.
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I wondered if the lips covering teeth kisses were just playful bites. Thanks for explanation J.B.. Thanks even more for the photos. Like you, I am a sucker for that last image of Annie holding her best friends face in her hand while giving Missy a big ol’ smooch. SO sweet. I have one of your heart shaped prints (on metal) that hangs in my studio. Always makes me smile.
Love these pic’s !
They should be a whole line of Valentine’s Day cards.
Could be a big money maker 🙂
We all need more kisses.
We fell in love w Annie. She’s called #7 in our home. I have so many Annie friends they all have nicknames. My big boy Edward loves her. He’s my 16yr old cat. He knows her face. The snake video? He heard that hooting & he came running in my room to watch. He’s not feeling well but he loves his Annie. Thanx for the posting of the pics. We enjoy them all. ?? ?