You might have picked up on this by now since we’ve mentioned it a few times, but it is unseasonably warm these days in central Washington. So on this spring-like January afternoon, we decided to put out a lunch forage for the chimps. Negra, who often chooses to stay inside even on a day like today, also went out for the forage!
She spotted a chunk of chow, but knew Jamie was headed for it, so she asked if it was okay to have it. Jamie is the boss, so it’s wise to ask her permission for things like this, however Negra is respected as the eldest and so she sometimes has the prerogative to just take what she would like without argument. In this case, Jamie was gunning for this particular high-prized item, so Negra was smart enough to ask for it.
Chimpanzees have a very complex way of asking if it’s all right to take something like this. They will reach out for reassurance from other members of the group, usually directed to a higher-ranking individual, making sure everyone is on board with their plan. Reassurance also happens during and after conflicts, as a way to ask for someone to back them up or make sure everything is okay. Today, Negra asked Jamie and Missy for reassurance before taking the chunk of chow. I’ll explain what is going on in each of the following photos:
Negra spotted the chow. She starts to whimper, as you can see by her trumpeted lips. A whimper is exactly what it sounds like, a sound of distress and in this case, she beginning to ask for reassurance.
Then Negra fear grimaced. Chimpanzees make this expression in times of distress or overwhelming excitement. This is a very clear communication to follow up her whimper that she really needs to know it’s all right for her to take the chow.
Jamie approaches, bipedal, which is an intimating gesture for chimpanzees—maybe to assert her position as the most dominant member in the group. Once she gets closer to Negra, she turns around and offers her back for Negra to touch and give her an open mouth kiss and breathy pant. This is basically where Jamie is giving Negra the okay to go ahead.
However, Missy came running down right in the middle of Jamie giving Negra permission to see what was so exciting, so Negra had to run it past Missy as well. Here she’s giving Missy an open mouth kiss, and then reaches for the chow while Missy looks on.
Success! Negra got this high-prized item and had no problem getting permission from the other chimpanzees. She also gathered some carrots on her way back to the chimp house. Just look at how proud she is with her mouthful of food!
This entire communication of reassurance between Negra, Jamie, and Missy happened in about 15 seconds. Chimp language is very intricate and complex!
Amy M says
Debbie — Fantastic post!! Thanks so much for walking us through this interaction!
Jeani Goodrich says
Thanks for explaining each picture Debbie. That was really helpful. Negra did look so happy with her haul. It was great to watch.
Brenna says
Amazing. Great shots. So happy it all worked out for Neggie. 🙂
Connie says
Love the post, pictures and that Neggie had a great day on the hill.
Lynn says
Thank you Debbie – I always appreciate learning more about chimp behavior – and you guys are the best resource 🙂
Patti says
Really great post, Debbie. I agree with Connie – I’m glad Neggie had fun on the hill today.
Wanda Trotta says
Amazing how structured their society really is. And how one must play by the rules or suffer the consequences! And, how nice to see that after the years at the sanctuary they are practicing their societal rules.
Lucinda Almy-Hamilton says
15 seconds, amazing. Complex is the word and so rarely noted or understood. Thank you so much for posting this. May I use these images in my lectures?
Debbie says
Hi Lucinda! I sent you an email 🙂
MS says
I thought offering one’s backside was a form of submission and not reassurance? Wouldn’t Negra have to turn around and “back up” to Jamie?
To quote Spock, “fascinating.”
Debbie says
Great observation! In some situations it’s true that presenting like Jamie did is submissive. However most times asking for reassurance and offering reassurance look very much alike—head bob, reaching out, breathy pant, fear grimacing, etc all happen in either direction of the hierarchy. Although Jamie is the boss we still see her do submissive gestures every now and then. Sometimes as Burrito comes charging through the playroom in a daunting male display, Jamie will crouch and make a “pant-grunt” which is a submissive vocalization. And Negra is not necessarily higher-ranking than Jamie, but she is respected as the elder and I think in this case Jamie “submitted” in a way to Negra’s request to take the chow.
kerri says
Truly fascinating!!
Kathleen says
This was such an interesting post, thank you Debbie. The photos were great too as you could see it all unfolding through your perspective. I am more surprised that all this ‘communication’ took about 15 seconds. If this were captured on a video I would have never noticed all the subtle details the photos showed. I adore Negra and am so thrilled that she ventured out on this lovely day, negotiated her deal, won and had such fun with all of her high-value, yummy goodies. She should be proud. A day like this would make you look forward to another day on the Hill!
Thank you for enlightening us in everything Chimpanzee! Oh, and I hope your lovely weather continues! : )
Kathleen says
Actually, I have a question. Since Negra isn’t out and about on the Hill like the others, and Jamie is the Patrol Guard of Young’s Hill — does this come into play with Negra needing permission? Would this same scenario have played out like this if the chimps were in the Greenhouse? I can see Jamie has her hand and mouth full of chow when Negra approaches for permission so you would think it would be fair game. I understand the ‘conflict’ occurred because both Jamie and Negra spotted the same chow-ball together but did the actual place have anything to do with it?
Another question would be what might have occurred if Negra just grabbed the chow — or this more of a ‘human solution’ and something that would never happen in chimpanzee culture?
Debbie says
Great question Kathleen! I think that their social dynamic would be the same despite location. It’s true that Jamie is more territorial out on the hill toward strangers (including horses and elk!), but they aren’t really territorial to each other.
Jamie can sometimes be a little greedy so even though she already had chow herself, when she spotted the other chow chunk she wanted that, too. Last night Jamie had 4 onion pieces, a carrot, and her night bag and went off to eat them in a secluded spot, but turned back the second she saw Missy grab an onion piece that had fallen just outside the caging… and she ran over to grab it. Missy was smart to just let her take it and there was no upset over it. Jamie is very manipulative!
Some things are fair game as long as Jamie doesn’t have her eye on it. But when she does have her eye on it, the chimps know to ask for it. I think Negra probably sensed the situation when Jamie was going toward her and that’s why she asked permission. There are times that someone might just go for something without asking first, but it might cause some tension, and in other cases, might not. It just depends on what the item is, how exciting it might be, and how much of it there is.
It’s not always Jamie that can cause tension, sometimes Missy will assert her dominance over Annie by insisting she be served first or she get Annie’s piece of food. That’s just how chimp society works! And also Foxie is a general overall peace-keeper, so if someone approaches her and wants something she has, she might be willing to give it up just to avoid a conflict, even if that chimp isn’t more dominant than her. I’ve also seen Annie take things from in front of Negra, despite Negra’s role as the elder, but as long as she doesn’t care too much about it then Annie is free to grab it.
Kathleen says
Thank you Debbi for your in depth answer. So interesting to learn how their society (if that’s the correct word?!) works. I am so curious about these seven creatures. As per your websites recommendations I am now reading “Next Of Kin” and I can’t put it down! Best part of all, I borrowed it from my shelter (Animal Farm Foundation who are advocates for chimpanzees too) — it was on their book shelves. I have added so many post-its to the book I now need to buy them a new copy! I am enjoying learning more each day.
Thank you again for your reply.
Debbie says
Wonderful, Kathleen! Yes, society is the right word 🙂 Next of Kin is a great book. All of the CSNW staff worked with Washoe’s family at some point over the years.
Kathleen says
How exciting to have the experience of working directly with Washoe or with Washoe’s family! I follow “Friends of Washoe” and because of them I feel attached to Tatu and Loulis and now follow them at the Fauna Foundation. I so admire what all of do.