Since she was integrated into a larger group, Honey B has been making new friends, reuniting with old ones, and spending time with her half-sisters. Here she grooms with half sister, Rayne, and her old friend, Terry. Or rather, here she is being groomed. Honey B doesn’t do much grooming herself. Without knowing more you might think of that as an indication of dominance, but instead it seems to be more of a quirk. At least one study suggests that chimps with significant human interaction at a young age exhibit deficits in grooming behavior as adults, even when they are integrated into a group and engage in other social behaviors like playing. As far as I’m aware, Honey B didn’t have significantly more human interaction when she was young compared to the others in her group, but you would swear she was raised as a pet or performer if you didn’t know better. Perhaps some chimps are just more susceptible to the effects of human rearing.
In any case, it’s moments like this that make the integration process worth it.
Over the past three years, I have discerned a change in Honey B’s behavior. She seemed confident and out-going before, but since the integration of her old troop with the Lucky Six, she seems more content. It is such a relief that she was so welcoming to her new neighbors; perhaps she remembered them from the Wildlife Waystation, but even during the integration process she seemed to enjoy the company of Rayne, Lucky and Dora (well, who wouldn’t?). Meanwhile, I am given to observe that Terry is one to employ kisses in his grooming technique; he’s such a lady’s man.
:joy:
Thanks, JB. I noticed before, when they were only 3, that Mave tended to be the groomer and the others were groomees. Beezus is one of a kind, for sure.
Jordan Peele’s new movie starts with an episode with an entertainment chimp, based on what happened with Travis. People in the comments are saying, “the kid was saved because the lace tablecloth broke eye contact between him and the chimp, eye contact is aggression.” Thanks to you, I could say “nope, that’s gorillas. Chimps don’t mind eye contact. Ask me how I know…” 🙂
:thumbsup_tone1: we learn such interesting things from the informational blogs.
not knowing the physical aspect of life in the waystation, this CSNW home would seem to be an ideal opportunity for the best in care and a social setting with all the trimmings……
when the expansion opens, I will be watching the continued growth in their lives…..
The look on Honey B’s face close up. Sigh…
This makes me curious. Are some captive chimpanzees socially awkward (for lack of a better term) like some people? Perhaps because they are shy, or haven’t been exposed to or haven’t actively experience certain things when they should have. I would assume this behavior wouldn’t occur in the wild because partaking in the group helps in your survival. (?)
Clearly Burrito and Jamie, who spent time with humns, do not have a problem in grooming others, right? But did they at the beginning of their arrival in sanctuary?
And just to confirm, as far as you know Honey B was not removed from LEMSIP to live with humans? So, her only human contact/rearing would be similar to most chimps at LEMSIP. Making me want to inquire if you know of other chimps, who now live in a sanctuary environment, who do not offer to groom like Honey B.
No need to reply now J.B. You could add the mystique of grooming for another blog topic. ?
Thank you J.B. for the study link. Dove into it today.
Honey B is being really trusting of Terry, too. I was kind of surprised by that, for some reason, but glad to see it.
I think the energy Terry is radiating ( calm and attentive without any assertion ) is the
reason why Honey B. is calm and receptive…There is no “hanky-panky” vibe coming from him when he is quietly smacking his lips.