We often refer to one of the chimpanzees “asking” us for something – Jamie frequently asks us for a cowgirl boot, Foxie for a troll doll, etc. Luckily for us, the absence of speech does not always impede communication. The chimps have a wide array of behaviors they use to get our attention: foot stomps, head slaps, claps, raspberry sounds, and head nods, to name a few. Jamie is a stomper, while Foxie and Missy usually employ a vigorous head nod when they want something.
In this video, taken right after the chimps were given access to the freshly cleaned playroom, Foxie spies an unclaimed Brazil nut. She’s hesitant to grab it since boss Jamie is sitting nearby, so she makes sure to “ask” Jamie’s permission first.
