Foxie and Burrito spend the better part of the afternoon grooming one another on the top platform of the Greenhouse today. These two chimpanzees are pretty close friends. But, just because they are friends does not mean they don’t fight. This morning, during one of Burrito’s displays, he chased a screaming Foxie as she ran from the playroom area of their indoor enclosure out to the Greenhouse. She got low to the ground and he ran right over her, slapping her along the way.
This is not unusual behavior for chimpanzees, but luckily grooming is a great way to make up after a fight.
Missy and Annie sat nearby, alternating between grooming and playing.
Carla René says
If you ever catch the smack-down you just described on video, post right away, cause I LOVE that manoeuver! I’ve seen the alpha and subordinate males do it, particularly to the adolescents and females during a group introduction to show dominance, but man, I just think it’s cool. The first time I saw an alpha run over top of a female and then smack her on the way over in mid-air, I couldn’t believe it.
Maggie says
It’s so easy for family members to get on each others nerves! They’re together 24/7! I’m so happy they make up & forgive each other!
vicki brabandt says
They make up better than most humans ive seen….lol! Love to see how tender they are in grooming one another. 🙂
zarah LuCree says
Keri- I’m curious of “who’s really in charge?” As we know in Chimpanzee society, it is a Male Dominate society. So, during Burrito’s morning “dominate” displays what does Jamie do? Being she’s the boss of the group; does she give way to the male dominance present in the group or does Burrito allow Jamie’s to rule him? What happens when those two argue/fight? “What interesting dynamics!! Thanks!
Diana says
Good questions! Jamie, and most of the other chimpanzees, tend to stay out of Burrito’s way when he is displaying. Sometimes Annie or Foxie will approach him to attempt to appease him, but, for the most part, they just wait for him to be done displaying. When the group was still living in the basement at the laboratory, Burrito would shake the caging for quite a long time as a display, and the girls would ignore him then too.
Sometimes Jamie does her own display at the same time, and often if there are multiple chimps displaying, others join in with vocalizations and their own displays. Captivity can be very different culturally for chimpanzees, and it’s not always a male dominant culture that prevails.
In the beginning, Jamie would sort of use Burrito’s displays to her advantage, almost like he was backing her up, even if that didn’t seem to be his intention (Jamie is very socially intelligent!). I think he caught on to that :).
When the two of them fight, the other females usually take Jamie’s side and chase after Burrito. He’s very quick and remarkably athletic during conflicts. Foxie will often try to reconcile things and reassure multiple parties, which can calm Burrito down. We agree that the dynamics are fascinating! Thanks for your questions.
Brenna says
I love that little tickle finger. 😀
qcheryl says
Great info!