You may remember Diana’s post from last year about the interesting dynamic in the relationship between Jamie and Burrito. As it happens, Missy and Negra have a complicated relationship as well. When it comes to food, Negra is definitely more dominant and Missy will generally let her have whatever she wants, even if it is reluctantly. You might think that this dynamic would affect their friendship, but it doesn’t seem to, at least not in an obvious way. Missy doesn’t appear to hold a grudge against Negra for pulling rank and is just as happy to play with her as with her friend Annie when the opportunity arises.
It is interesting to note that a similar dynamic exists between Annie and Missy but in this case it is Annie that gives up her food at Missy’s request. So, I imagine it’s not just Missy and Negra or Jamie and Burrito that are complicated. Overall chimpanzee social relationships appear to develop much more complexity than a simple dominance hierarchy suggests.
Here is Negra taking one of Missy’s chow bags:
Benjamin Pavsner says
I know Jamie is the alpha chimp, but would Negra be number two? Jamie even seems to defer to her sometimes.
Lisa says
Good question! Actually Negra sort of stands alone outside the hierarchy almost as if she is a hierarchy unto herself. Although she is not more dominant than Jamie she seemed to be respected as the eldest. Read a little bit more about this dynamic in one of our older posts here: https://chimpsnw.org/2013/04/the-boss-and-the-queen/
Rita Stevenson says
Lisa,,
If the chimps ask for more food during meals or in between meals do you give them some of what they request, ???
Debbie says
Hi Rita,
We serve the chimps at three meals, but they get a couple of forages in the day too, which are really enriching for them. After we clean the playroom, we always do a forage of seeds, nuts, dried fruit, or veggies or a combination of those. After dinner they get their evening puzzle which usually includes banana, peanut butter, or nuts. And then they get mostly fresh produce for the rest of their meals, though if anyone needs a more binding meal or we are low on produce for some reason we will do prepared/cooked meals like farina or rice which they love. Nobody really asks for food in between meals, but they are very used to the routine and can predict that we will serve them at the approximately the same time everyday. On most days, Burrito keeps us on schedule by coming and looking in the kitchen about 10 minutes before a meal is served 🙂 They definitely trust us and know that we will give them a fulfilling and satisfying meal. 🙂