Chimpanzees spend a lot of time grooming each other. Grooming serves hygienic purposes – removing dead skin, tending to wounds – but maybe more importantly it serves to strengthen bonds between individuals. Chimpanzees don’t seem to have the same hangups about personal space as many of us do; they are not shy about getting right up in each other’s faces (or other body parts). It’s hard to imagine how two individuals wouldn’t be closer after a chimpanzee grooming session.
For the most part, the chimps seem to take these invasions of personal space in stride. This afternoon, though, I found poor Foxie pinned into a corner of the greenhouse by Burrito and Jamie, who were both showering her with (seemingly unwanted) attention. She looked like she wouldn’t mind a little breathing room (that’s Burrito in front of Foxie with his back to the camera, and Jamie on the right).
Poor Foxie – she does look a bit crowded. ????
Oh No! Foxie’s eyes seem to be saying “Time Out” and “Back off”!
(It also looks as if Foxie and Burrito are one chimp! Since you can’t see Burrito’s head it appears as if Foxie’s head is attached to Burrito’s back — creepy!)
Foxie does not look happy.