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Sense of Humor in Chimpanzees

February 20, 2021 by Diana

Someone recently donated two cardboard forts for the chimpanzees. Mave and Willy B had a really good time playing in and destroying theirs yesterday, while the group of seven left theirs intact to see another day. It’s hard to tell in the photo below, but these are big forts – big enough for a chimpanzee to fit inside.

This morning as we were just opening up the chimp house, Foxie was in the room with the fort, just walking past it. We both did a double-take when we heard some rustling and what sounded like knocking coming from inside. I’m not much of a morning person, so I wasn’t 100% sure of what I heard. But then out popped Burrito!

It reminded me of two things: First, this is my kind of humor. I remember years ago I hid inside a brand new garbage can to surprise a friend. I think it was a lot funnier to me than my friend. Second, also years ago, I did my masters thesis on play initiation in chimpanzees, specifically five chimpanzees who were living at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University (the two chimpanzees who are still living from that group, Tatu and Loulis, now live at the Fauna Foundation in Quebec).

Gathering data for my thesis was a joy because I spent hours watching videotapes (yes, actual videotapes – I told you it was years ago) of chimpanzees playing. From what I recall, most of the instances of play initiation were between friends Moja and Tatu, and I remember more than one instance of Tatu hiding behind a wall and then jumping out at Moja when she walked past, with a raucous game of chase ensuing.

We witness the chimpanzees initiate play all of the time here at the sanctuary, and often the initiator is Burrito. He’s a very funny and fun-loving guy with his human and chimpanzee friends.

Even when he’s spending time alone, he seems to amuse himself. While we were cleaning the playroom, I looked into the greenhouse and saw Burrito sitting in a box eating breakfast leftovers. He had pulled his scooter up next to him.

Without a doubt, humor has gotten me through some otherwise tough times and made good times even better. Maybe joke-telling or sharing humorous thoughts is the human equivalent of initiating play. I think that’s how I will think of it now.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda Gere says

    February 20, 2021 at 3:00 pm

    Wonderful Blog. Thanks for making me smile today ?

  2. Jackie says

    February 20, 2021 at 4:18 pm

    Thank you for the great post!

    • Arlene and Michael says

      February 20, 2021 at 6:02 pm

      Burrito is such a fun guy:) he really makes me smile. So thankful that they all have a wonderful home where they are so happy.

  3. Jeani Goodrich says

    February 20, 2021 at 7:31 pm

    I loved hearing that Burrito knocked first and then jumped out at Foxie! It I’ll be interesting how long their fort lasts. Ty for the blog. It was great!!!

  4. Judy says

    February 21, 2021 at 12:48 am

    Great subject matter, food for thought (and giggles) .. wonderful blog. Thanks Diana.. nothing like a Chimpanzee fun story to make us smile as we head off to dreamland… and wonder what they are dreaming about. Hugs to all.

  5. Elaine Reininger says

    February 21, 2021 at 4:16 am

    How can you stand all that cuteness? This was a delightful — and much needed — moment of cheer. thanks, Diana. I just loved the picture of Mr B. sitting in the box eating his breakfast. Too cute for words.

  6. Tami Roy says

    February 21, 2021 at 5:27 am

    I love reading stories about Burrito. They never fail to make me laugh. You’re so lucky to be able to hang out with such a character!

  7. Mary Garripoli says

    February 21, 2021 at 6:28 am

    I think the more open we are to play, the better our experience is in everything we do. Playing is highly creative and very compassionate When we play, we elevate the mundane and share a sense of wonder and excitement. I loved this post.

  8. Kathleen says

    February 21, 2021 at 7:27 am

    What a fun post Diana (squealed over Burrito in his produce box). There is no doubt, z-e-r-o, in my mind that Burrito is deliberately funny. And I believe with all my heart that he knows how funny he is. I’ve seen him. He is hysterical. Hysterical like the great old physical comedians—think Lucille Ball in “I Love Lucy” or Carol Burnett. Like these great ladies, Burrito brings a certain physicality and facial expression to his playfulness that is deliberately over-the-top funny. He is not only having fun performing, he wants you to laugh at him and with him. No doubt in my mind about this. I swear, some day the science will prove this.

    I agree with Mary Garripoli, so beautifully expressed. We have so much to learn from animals. Like interacting with children, interacting with animals brings out our playfulness or perhaps it it brings out the child in us, something we oftentimes repress in our day to day lives. When you are around animals you become as playful as they are. In my ridiculous, silly, playful interactions with dogs, I offer a physicality, a mind set and sense of humor that most of my friends never see. And I offer it up without even thinking about it. I just become a goof ball, just like the dogs I am with. Animals (and children) have a way of bringing it out in us. Like Burrito and Honey B challenging you to a crazy game of chase, or Burrito with his funny tug sessions, or Negra asking you all to dance your silly feet off for her entertainment. It is such fun to be in that head (and heart) space where you let down your guard and freely engage in all things silly and funny so you can share in the joy between you and the animal in front of you! I sometimes run like the wind with a dog at my side, belly laughing all the way as we fly through a field. It’s the best therapy I can think of. Humans should play more and let their inner silly escape often. We’d all better for it.

    • Diana says

      February 24, 2021 at 12:15 pm

      Okay, Mary & Kathleen – are you inside my head?! I have been thinking along the same lines for a while about how the physical way we interact with the chimps leads to happiness all around, and how maybe we should jump up and down when we see the humans in our lives too. I even had a blog title in mind – chimpanzees make me a better person – but I haven’t been able to put those thoughts down. Thank you for doing that so beautifully.

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