A few days ago, I saw someone ask on our Facebook page how we can tell the chimpanzees apart from one another. Just like humans, the chimps have their own individual features that make them unique. Today, I wanted to walk you through some ways that I have found that help when identifying our 16 chimpanzee residents!
First identifier, size/build. While it may be hard to determine overall body size in photos, it is easily one of the first things I notice when I see a chimp.
Our males, with the exception of Burrito, are larger than our females. In the photos below, Dora appears smaller than the males she is next to.
Dora (left) and Terry (right):
Dora (left) and Willy B (right):
Gordo (left) and Dora (right):
Burrito is a smaller guy. While he is larger than some of the girls in his group, he is not larger than all. Here he is next to Jamie, who he is smaller than.
Jamie (left) and Burrito (right):
Jamie (left) and Burrito (right):
Missy is smaller in size, although has a very athletic build.
Missy:
Burrito (left) and Missy (right):
Next identifier, hair.
Hair? Yes, hair!
Hair helps identify a chimp quite easily as well. Hair that stands up on their shoulders, on their head, whatever it may be, helps.
Notice here that Willy B’s hair on his shoulder curls upwards into a “horn-like” shape.
Willy B:
Rayne, on the other hand, has thicker hair on the back of her head. Sometimes, the hair on the top of her head is standing upright. But not always!
Here are a few examples:
Rayne (hair sticking up):
Still Rayne but hair down:
Speaking of hair, the hair queen herself… Mave.
Between her freckled face or her thick, fluffy hair, some may find her easily identifiable.
Mave:
But, we have another chimp who also has freckles and thick, fluffy hair. That is Terry!
Terry:
Hair, or lack thereof, also makes a chimp more identifiable.
Negra has some parts of her body with small amounts of hair.
Negra:
Honey B also has thinner hair on her chest and stomach.
Honey B:
Next identifier, eyes and brow ridge.
Jody has beady eyes and a rounded brow ridge.
Jody:
Dora’s eyes also are unique. Her brow ridge is not as defined as Jody’s.
Dora:
I don’t know how to truly describe Honey B’s eyes, but they stare straight into your soul.
Honey B:
Next identifier is ears.
Annie has larger ears that sit high on her head.
Annie:
Negra is missing half of an ear. So is Foxie!
Negra:
Foxie:
Common mix-ups:
A tough pair to tell the difference between: Honey B and Rayne. They have many similarities. They are both lean and tall. They both have a white beard and similar ears. However, Honey B has light-colored lips and Rayne does not. Rayne’s face is overall darker in color, apart from her forehead. Honey B’s eyes are just a tad lighter.
What else do you notice?
Rayne (left) and Honey B (right):
Rayne:
Honey B:
Telling the difference between Willy B and Cy can also be a tough one. They are both large bodied males with hair that sticks straight up, strong brow ridges, and white beards.
What do you notice the differences are?
Cy (left) and Willy B (right):
Willy B (left) and Cy (right):
Willy B (left) and Cy (right):
Cy:
Willy B:
Cy and Lucky, full-siblings, have some similar features. Same white beard, strong brow ridge, same nose, similar eyes. However, Cy is bigger in size and also has more hair standing up-right on the top of his head.
Dora (left), Lucky (center), and Cy (right):
Lucky:
Cy:
Thanks, Jenna!
I have the 7 down, no prob.
I still have difficulty telling the difference between Cy and Willy, until I see their faces. I can always tell Willy B’s face from Cy’s.
it’s Rayne and Lucky I struggle with
Hi Linda! I’m curious… Do you think Cy and Lucky look similar? I’m not sure why but they’ve always been the most similar to me. Before I met them, I wasn’t entirely sure which one was Cy and which was Lucky in pictures.
Just saw Ozzie post on Facebook that the distinguished middle part with Lucky helps a lot. I’ve never paid attention to it much, but now I can’t unsee it! Hope his trick helps you!
Thanks, Linda!
Thanks, Jenna!
You’ll have to thank Ozzie for me. I’ll remember the middle part bit.
someone else mentioned lines on the nose.
I can tell Cy’s face from Lucky’s. I think he’s got a more broad, “rugged” face.
And like Kathleen said, the 7 are distinguished by some of those characteristics that were taught to us in a previous blog post. (and sometimes, even swellings, if they’re farther away :smile:)
Excellent break down. Thanks, Jenna! I remember how fun it was when I was trying to discover who’s who between the Cle Elum. I had such fun studying the photos while covering up the name.
For me it was Missy and her small tight little bod and the appearance of having no neck. Annie’s splice in her right ear. Jamie’s face (it’s so Jamie) and her table-flat-back stance. Jody has perfect big ears and her droopy relaxed bottom lip. Negra has that precious gentle face and Buddha belly. Foxie carries a doll. (sometimes I mixed Foxie and Jamie). Burrito is a freckle face and silly with a small something always in his mouth.
The three alone were easy to ID but, now mixed in with Cy’s group, I need to pause and focus. Willy B and Cy can be tricky but Willy has a flatter top of head. And yes to his Devil Horns! Dead giveaways. Cracks me up. When Lucky is in a group, I have to look hard to ponder if it’s Cy or Lucky. And Rayne and Honey B really can look so much alike! (unless Honey B is staring through your soul!)
But, I have the advantage of zooming in on a photo to get a good luck. For a caregiver or volunteer it must be incredibly hard. Observing while everyone is moving, quickly, or lumping together in groups must be a real challenge!!! Especially if you are watching from a distance. But individual mannerisms must help too. It’s wonderful when you realize you can pick out each individual for who they are.
So, how in the world do the really large sanctuaries do it?! :).
Hi Kathleen! Your observations of the chimps are spot on! In my experience, it is easier to identify the chimps in real life, opposed to pictures. Simply because you can see every angle, mannerisms, etc. Photos can leave things to the imagination at times! I’m so glad we often post videos for that reason.
However, when things are chaotic, it can be hard to see who is who! And also identifying the chimps out on the hill, in the distance, takes months of practice! Phew!
Thanks for commenting, Kathleen!
I’m just now seeing:
Cy vs Willy B: Willy B has a flat-top! Or is it more like a buzz cut?
He does have flattop haircut but I think it is the shape of Willy B’s forehead. It appears flatter above his brow line. And, Willy B sports a Vandykefashioned beard. Cy’s beard is shorter and more rounded,not a pointy Vandyke. The boys must visit differentstylists! And there’s one more thing about my Pal Willy B that makes him standout, his hair is thin on his shoulders and arms.
Splendid blog, Jenna! I read your description then look at a picture and wonder why I never saw that before!
Thank you!