The other night, while doing chimp counts during closing rounds, I climbed a ladder to look in the loft and found Negra building this magnificent nest.
There are a number of theories as to why chimpanzees build nests. Since most free-living chimpanzees build their nests high up in the trees at night, it’s possible that nest-building evolved to help protect chimpanzees from ground-dwelling predators or to avoid biting insects. There is also evidence to suggest that nests aid in thermoregulation. And these theories aren’t incompatible with the idea that chimpanzees also build nests because they are comfortable. Who doesn’t want a good night’s sleep?
At CSNW, we give out more than 70 clean blankets over the course of each day. If distributed evenly, that would be at least 10 per chimp – more than enough to make a comfortable nest, with some left over to use on top. But some of the Cle Elum Seven chimps, like Foxie, don’t really nest at all, while others, like Burrito, only use a few blankets. That leaves more for the master nest builders like Negra.
The chimps’ night nests are almost always made from blankets, but day nests are often made with other materials, such as bamboo, hay or straw, paper, cardboard, sand, fire hoses, and on at least one occasion, every single present given to the chimps for Christmas.
Loved this post. Always fills my heart with joy to see the chimps doing anything that gives them happiness and pleasure. The sight of Negra in that lovely nest is wonderful! She is a master builder. It’s just great you give them so many blankets each day. It must be a tremendous amount of work, washing all those blankets! Your love for the chimps and the thought you put into creating a nurturing environment for them is very precious. THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking such good care of them !!! 🙂
Can I just tell you how much I ???????????? this post!!!!! Thank you!!!
Wonderful post. I had no idea Negra was such a master nest builder! Thanks for sharing.
The Princess, excuse me ……I should say Queen, and the pea! Delighted to see Negra centered in her mass of cozy blankets. I know its anthropomorphizing but I can’t help but think how luxurious a blanket nest (or a sandbox nest, of a Christmas Booty Nest!) must feel like after living for years in a small barren cage. I am touched by watching them build their nests, seeing the process, as much as I am with seeing them enjoy the comfort of the end result. It seems we animals enjoy creature comforts of some form. : )
I echo what all the others said squared! They said it so well, I need not embellish! Hugs to you all and thank you sooooooo much XO
That was so interesting! Thank you again for all that you do.
Great post. So good to see them enjoying their lives at long last.
Fabulous. As someone who must loves blankets, blankets and more blankets, and pillows, pillows and more pillows — and who hates! getting out of bed, I totally empathize with the chimps. Especially Negra. Question, the photo with the tire: are there two chimps there or one? Thanks!
Hi Franciose – Just one chimp, Jody (heart-shaped brow ridge). But her knee is sticking up which makes it look like there could be another chimp there.
I keep returning to this post to see the pictures of the chimps and the nests they have built. There is something that about their freedom to do this that touches me. And that you give them all and everything they need to build the nests.
I’m most impressed however by Negra’s… She sits there regal, overseeing the kingdom, looking straight and serious at the camera. What a photo!