I thought I would answer one of the questions from Diana’s blog post, “Inviting your Questions“. Also, if you have a burning question you have been wanting to ask, post it in Diana’s blog comments and one of us caregivers may make a blog and answer it!
So, let’s have an uncomfortable conversation. The question that everyone wants to know, but may feel too awkward asking. Poop, everybody does it. But, where do the chimps do it? I will be addressing this topic because it’s a fair question and one we get asked a lot. We do our best to not have poop in the videos or pictures, but the truth is it’s there.
In the wild chimps will use the bathroom and then keep traveling. Chimps in captivity unfortunately do not have that luxury of leaving it behind them. The chimps mostly poop or pee off of ledges. We see that chimps in the wild poop out of their nests in trees too. This could be why captive chimps are often using ledges. Kind of cool! Some chimps have specific spots, most others do not. There are some enclosures where they do tend to pick spots to go use the restroom. For example, the chimps often use the bathroom in the corner of the Greenhouse off the platform. It seems to be a good spot, out of the way where individuals won’t step in it. Though that might not be the pattern for everyone. In the playroom, they often go off the loft, or a barrel, or the cement steps near the drain. In the front rooms, they may use the restroom off the platform, a cement step near the drain, or again a piece of enrichment like a chair. In phase one, it seems the 3 also prefer to use a ledge. However, Willy B will pee anywhere… We clean each enclosure every day and spot clean at night. Sometimes after we are done cleaning and invite the chimps back into their space they use the bathroom right away and that is their choice. It is their home. Which is why we will spot clean before we leave for the night, because we want them to have a clean house, no one likes stepping in poop, so we do our best, but regardless there are 10 chimps and they have to use the bathroom.
Have you ever heard of fear poop? I don’t think it is a real term, but we use it. From time to time the chimps may have an altercation. When fights happen the bowel movement may let go, so to speak. Often after a fight it is a bit messy. In these cases, poop or pee could be anywhere.
Now one question you might also be wondering. Do chimps toot? Does it smell? The answer to both is yes. They have a diet of fruits, veggies, and nuts so I would say of course farts are going to smell, but not always. Just like us humans. For the chimps, there is no stigma for flatulence. They don’t laugh at each other or think it is gross, because well everyone does it! Even us, don’t lie :). Missy often lets one go when running! I mean do you see how fast she runs, there is no way anyone could hold one in going that speed!
Okay, here is a fun fact! Their pee does smell after they eat asparagus!
See that wasn’t so bad, right? Now I have some photos. We would never post photos of them using the restroom, because, well that is rude. Wouldn’t it be horrifying if someone took a photo of you and posted it. But, I have some photos to show as examples of the ledges they may use.
Ahh, yes, that is a nice ledge. It’s a little out of the way where no one is walking!
This photo is in the playroom. Look at all those options!
This platform is great for sleeping and also going to the bathroom over the ledge!
Another fun fact! Front room 4 is known as the portrait room because it has such great lighting. However, front room 4 is also know to be the potty room from time to time. It could be because this is a get ledge to do it!
These are the cement steps I am referring to. It’s the perfect place to stop and take a quick number 1 or 2!
The front rooms in phase 1 also have great platforms for pooping.
The mezzanine can kind of be a free for all. There are ledges and so many chairs to choose from.
See, Missy runs the toots right out of her.
Let’s not forget Young’s Hill. Because it is such a large outdoor enclosure, it is hard to find all the poop. For this area, we let nature do its thing.
Now, let’s stop thinking about poop and just look at some chimps. 🙂
Negra in a pile of blankets.
Mave looking into her own reflection.
Willy B grabbing his favorite blanket while trying to listen in on the neighbors.
Willy B being groomed by Mave.
Don’t worry, it is just a scab on Mave’s head that someone just freshly groomed.
Burrito climbing the Twister!
Jamie waiting for Burrito at the bottom.
Foxie.
Foxie exploring the Hill with her dolls. Construction is really coming along!
Honey B <3
Okay, one more of Burrito!
Excellent blog, thank you!
Hi Kelsi, you did an excellent job explaining this (ahem) uncomfortable subject. So let me ask, did you draw the short straw or did you actually volunteer to write about poop?! : ) Seeing all the places that are poopable I am even more amazed at how clean the chimp house always appears. Case in point, the second to last photo with Honey B. Immaculate! Now we need a Potty Talk 2 to discuss who all throws poop (besides Jamie!) and what usually prompts them to do it? Sorry! I believe its more of a captive primate thing (right?) but I guess it’s all in a days work.
I throughly enjoyed my lesson today and all the extra photos too. Seeing Burrito on the top of the Twister reminded of the post from the first day he made it to the top. Such a big day! And I remember how Jamie loved to climb to the top of the Twister and sit on the firehose below the deck, Queen of all she could see. Does she still enjoy this advantage point?
I wonder of they throw it because it’s what’s at hand…in the wild, they’d have branches or stones…
Oh I think they throw it because they know exactly what they are throwing and they know exactly the reaction they will get out of us humans. But that’s just my guess. ; )
Surprisingly I offered! I must be numb to the subject because talking about it seems so normal ;). Yes, that would be a great topic to discuss! Burrito on the Twister was amazing! The cherry on top was Jamie patiently waiting for him to get to the top and climb down. After, we all continued our walk. Really warms the heart up! I was just talking to someone not long ago about how this year she hasn’t been up on the Twister as much. Though I am sure she still does love the view :).
“Ach, better oot than in.” — Ancient Scottish proverb on the subject of (primarily human) primate elimination. (Bonus Scots proverb on the same subject matter: “Aye, yee’ll see bootter a’ter that oune”).
It couldn’t be more true ;)!
Thanks for giving us the scoop on the poop, Kelsi! The drains had been mentioned before, and we’ve all seen the stairs, but the angle in this photo makes it easier to see. And actually, “fear poop” makes sense….I read somewhere that bats do the same, if startled while on a night roost.
I’ve often thought that you guys do such a good job describing everything, that the smell must be the only thing we can’t imagine!
It seems like Jo doesn’t feel the need to alter the sherpa blankets (good to see Neggie enjoying those-I thought she might- is that so?
And is The Boss enjoying pear season?
Jamie is enjoying the pear season very much! Hopefully, she will have some baked pears for Jamieween!
Interesting post! Thank you.
Great potty talk Kelsi.i had asked a question that i dont think was answered.Do the males try to mate with the females.Have the females had hysterectomies?
Thank you to all the keepers& volunteers& supporters that make Chimp NW possible.
They might be leaving it for a future blog….Cjad discussed a related topic (the females’ swellings) a week or so ago. A couple of them have had hysterectomies.
And Burrito (before last December) used to have the urges, but didn’t know how to go about it, because he was raised among humans, not chimps-no role model.
I have no idea about Willy B
What I have wondered if if they make a point of avoiding it so they don’t step in it. Or if it doesn’t matter to them and track it around the room.
Good question…I feel like I’ve seen some smears that would indicate that they don’t always avoid it.
Have you watched Meet the Chimps on Disney+? Its a sanctuary in Louisiana. There’s pee Everywhere! But I haven’t seen poop yet. 😉
Yes, they definitely do avoid stepping in poop! During a fight, it may be harder to avoid, but no one wants to step in poop 🙂
What an overwhelming job you caretakers do. We get to see all the cuteness and sweetness, but I never dreamed there was so much work and stink involved. I guess I sort of thought they’d use one spot, like cats do in litter boxes and dogs do on pee-pee pads. Dogs like to go where other dogs have gone outdoors. Wouldn’t it be nice if the chimps did too. Never dreamed it’s all over the place. Excellent job, Kelsi, in telling it and including the pictures to show us all the places. Surprised you don’t wear Hazmat suits to do that clean up job.
I was just thinking about this the other day and was wondering how I can ask it delicately, lol.
Thank you for a very interesting blog.
Do you ever open the “Howdy” door so they can visit or see each other? If not, why?
After Burrito got injured during the failed integration, I don’t think they plan on it (though I’m still dying for Jo to have her play date with The Big Man).
But I’ve also wondered why they can’t see each other through that door….maybe the noise would be too much
Hi Kathy! We probably will not. It seems to cause more drama than needed. They can see each other through the windows and out on the Hill. Everyone seems okay with that! The Howdy door is a lot closer in proximity and may give them the idea that we are doing introductions again. We don’t want them to feel stressed out.