It was the perfect late summer morning with bright blue skies and cool air. Jody was very anxious to get outside and resume her mother hen duties and make sure Young’s Hill was safe for her friends to venture on and see what she could see. And everyone seemed equally excited to be out and about with their friend and took their oranges from breakfast to go!
Jody:
Missy:
Foxie:
Yummy. Sweet. Scrumptious. And I’m not talking about the oranges! ; )
Very true!
I am so happy they want to be outside.
A question: since they hate water, what do they do when they’re eating sticky stuff, like oranges, pineapples, etc? And does grooming really take care of all the dead skin cells, etc.? How do chimps clean?
Hi Linda,
It depends on the chimp, most of these guys just lick their fingers and move on. Jamie on the other hand, will often wash her hands under the drinking spigot or use a napkin (this is probably also a direct result of her childhood being raised with humans in the entertainment industry). But I would say overall that chimps do not like to be dirty. And yes, grooming serves many purposes and really does take care of their cleaning needs by removing skin, dirt, etc, whether it’s self-grooming or with others. The most important aspect of grooming for chimps is the bonding and sense of well-being and reassurance it brings, as well as building relationships within the hierarchy of the group. The cleanliness is an added bonus. 🙂
Oranges and blue skies: just what the DVM ordered. That, and no doubt Burrito’s kiss to Jody a few days during her separation helped to accelerate her healing process.
I thought I’d posted a question earlier…….anyway, will repeat…..since chimps hate water, what do they do when they eat sticky stuff, like oranges and pineapples. And how do they clean? Does grooming really get rid of all the dead skin cells, etc?
Hi Linda, you did! The response is with your original question. 🙂
Thanks for the reply! Their coats really do look amazing, compared to when they first arrived years ago. The lack of stress and the good diet…..:)