Most chimpanzees are not known for holding on to their favorite foods for very long. If dessert was an option, they would insist that it come first. Negra will reluctantly fill her hands with vegetables she is willing to eat, but caregivers know that she has food priorities she is waiting for. Jamie will gesture emphatically until you have served her favorite food items first and then will sometimes accept her least favorite items at the end of the meal. Missy will nod her head quickly to request more of the food she loves (usually tomatoes). Burrito will often begin to play with caregivers as a way of communicating that he isn’t interested in something and it’s time to move on with meal service. Each of the chimps make it very clear what they want and when they want it, it’s just a matter of paying attention.
Yesterday, Jamie saved her least favorite item from lunch, her carrot, until it was the last thing she ate.
