I am feeling a bit guilty about one particular piece of enrichment I put out today: a big scary plastic alligator. When the chimps first discovered this predator, it was in a bag hanging on one of the windows. Missy bravely climbed up and tossed it to the floor, where it has been sittting all day. Here are a few video clips. You’ll see Burrito bravely touching it, Foxie looking on, Jamie inspecting, then Jody doing a run-by, then Jamie again, with back up from Missy (who touches it again!). I didn’t capture it on video, but both Negra and Annie took a look too, and then hustled away. At one point all seven were perched on the catwalk above the alligator looking down at it!
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GREAT video!! Love Foxie passing by, troll doll in hand, looking like she’s thinking, OH no — I’M not touching that thing!!
Oh wow! We saw that alligator before we left on Saturday and wondered how that would be received! No one looked particularly frightened but they certainly were interested…and took care. Who was it making the quiet hoots throughout the video?
oh, bless their hearts….maybe a toy bunny rabbit next time 😉
Oh Sarah, what a troublemaker you are! 🙂 It sure was fun watching the different reactions. Yes, I also liked Foxie leaving quickly to protect her troll. I wonder if they would have the same reaction if the alligator had been made of soft cloth.
Thanks Sarah.
Fascinating! And yes, a little guilt-inducing. :o)
How fascinating that they would know to be cautious of an alligator.
How interesting that they would be cautious and not just play with it like any other toy. Obviously there is some intinct coming out here. I love the way they get low for a close look and smell with their rumps in the air. Is this so they can spring back with their hands should this thing move? I bet a plastic snake would really get a reaction. Not a suggestion though, Sarah. 🙂
I agree with you Theresa they were cautious but curious at the same time. It looked like Burrito had puffed up his hair a little and I loved how Jamie got down to floor level to study it with her rear end up in the air. Did they ever pull it completely out of the bag for a look? We have to look at it from their viewpoint they’ve never seen a live alligator so they don’t know what to expect. I think if that had been real and running around the floor their reactions would have been a lot different maybe even an alarm call. I, too, am curious as to who was soft hooting in the background and the meaning. I wish you’d gotten a shot of them on the catwalk looking down at it, overall, great video.
oh Sarah you rascal ..
what smarties .. very interesting to watch!
(Burrito is lookin’ good in this vid – everyone is lookin’ good!)
Alligator update: it was in the same spot this morning as it was when we left yesterday, so it looks like no one got brave in the night. Jamie saw Keith pick it up this morning and screamed and ran away. She used to live in Florida so perhaps she saw one during her days as an “entertainer?”
The hoo’ing you hear was Jody. She made quite a bit of noise!
-sarah
I volunteered to day and after cleaning the rooms I was on toy clean-up. While I was washing the toys, Jamie who likes to “display” to the volunteers starting to get wound up with her display she was about to charge the caging when I picked up the alligator to wash it. Jamie saw the alligator and ran (in mid display) to the other end of the play room. I felt bad that I didn’t think about what I was doing and indirectly scared her.
Keith saved the day by putting the alligator outside.
How interesting. It seems like Jamie at least is genuinely afraid of the alligator. Outside is the best place for it. Isn’t it interesting. I remember when they were shown a stuffed chimpanzee toy they were not that pleased and spate at it. Toy animals that are realistic seem too threatening for them.
Looks like those females are in eostrus. Has Burrito shown any interest in mating? I know he is castrated but many times that doesnt slow a male down to much.