Here’s the video I promised in yesterday’s blog post. My favorite part is when Annie joins in the play (using her favorite blanket-swinging method of play initiation), something she’s doing more and more as her confidence continues to grow (read Diana’s thoughts on the changes we’ve seen in Annie here.)
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Go, Annie girl, go! I think Missy has the best play face ever, she looks a little goofy and I love goofy.
Negra has a pretty great playface too. I was thinking last night, have we seen everyone’s playface? I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Jody’s playface. Are playfaces pretty much the same because I noticed that Missy always has large open mouth playface, but with Foxie her playface is opened just a little bit?
There’s quite a bit of variation in each individual’s playface(s) (just like humans have small smiles and big smiles). In the video, for example, Foxie has a pretty big playface at 0:24 and one that’s a bit less pronounced at 0:31.
Thanks for another very fun video — with the educational info thrown in. I love watching them play and *laugh*!
Also, I’ve often wondered how long it took for the chimps to get to know each other. Horses, for instance, usually have a several-day or weeklong introduction period before putting them together in a pasture. (Not always, but it reduces the odds of someone getting kicked. ) I don’t recall seeing you write about this, so if you already have, can you direct me to it? I’d love to read it.
Thanks!
All seven chimps lived together for a couple of years at Buckshire before they came to CSNW, so they were already an established group when they arrived. This was good news for us — since chimpanzees are very territorial and can be aggressive toward outsiders, introducing them in captivity is a lengthy and often difficult process.
Elizabeth, I guess that’s why it’s taken so long for the Save the Chimps to get their families together, that and they had about 250+ chimpanzees. What a job that is getting 250+ chimps into families. HCM, check out the Save the Chimps website it’s a good one.
interesting thank you for the info
It’s so wonderful to see Annie joining in to play. It’s sort of like watching the shyest little child on the playground finally joining in with the others. Of course those play faces get me every time!!
Wow, so wonderful to see Annie initiating some play like that!! That makes my heart happy. Those are some happy chimp girls – all that laughing! And yes, love Missy’s silly play face. 🙂
My sentiments, exactly, Kate!!!
It’s so good to watch Annie gain confidence and join in. Not long ago she would have sat in the bachground and just watched.
Denice, you’re right and many of Annie’s “staying in the background” were caught on video. I always hoped that she would join in the play, and not just with Missy, and 2-1/2 years later, she has. I wonder if she picked up the “blanket swinging” from Missy, there’s a video of Missy using the same technique with Foxie.
It’s so fun to see the things they come up with keep themselves amused. 🙂
such a lovely clip thank you ! nothing nicer than chimp play faces , love the pass the troll game , but i do love how foxie always manages to get her doll back in a very subtle way you hardly notice till you see she has it back 🙂
ps i sooo love the extra few seconds of footage on these clips makes me smile when i see we have spare seconds as i know we are in for a little extra treat x
It warms my heart to see Annie joining in the play. I love the play faces that shows how much fun they are having. I hope to see Annie become more and more playful with the others and to watch her play with them like she does with Missy.