Grooming is a bonding experience for chimpanzees, and one reason is that it requires a lot of trust in one’s grooming partner. Chimps aren’t afraid to get quite personal with each other. The other day I caught Jamie very gently grooming Negra’s eyes and ears.
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary for primates.
Oh so delicate! Especially around Negra’s sweet, soft eyes. That video was just yummy to watch, thanks!
Well, when one doesn’t have a mirror to get to those hard to reach places, one needs a good friend.
I love how gentle Jamie can be! Do all chimps (captive and wild) smack their lips when they groom?
As far as I know, grooming behaviors like lip smacking and tooth clacking are pretty universal in chimpanzees. There does tend to be some individual difference, though. Jamie’s a lip smacker, while Burrito’s a tooth clacker and raspberry blower. 🙂
Two lovely ladies!