Since you are reading this, you likely know that grooming is an important activity within a chimpanzee group, whether that group is in the wild or in captivity. Because us humans are a part of their social network, we take part in grooming with them, both as the groomer and the groomie (is groomie an actual word? grooming receiver is perhaps the more technical phrase).
Grooming, like many social behaviors, can be somewhat contagious, in that if you see some friends grooming, you might join in or you might find someone else to groom with you.
I think it’s “groomer” and “groomed”, Diana, but I much prefer the sound of “groomee”.
I’ve never heard Honey B’s grooming sounds before! They’re hilarious!
See, Chad, it’s unanimous! Everyone thinks you have great hair! :laughing:
I don’t know why…… but I thought the clacking was reserved for grooming between Chimp on Chimp …….I see they do it with humans, too .I like the way she cleaned her nostril and groomed at the same time……. She’s definitely a multitasker:grin:
Loved this. The sounds are wonderful! Chad is so lucky to be groomed from both sides! Sweet Lucky happy to join in. And Honey B has her own signature sound.
Grooming fascinates me. Especially in captive chimps. To think that chimps who were born in a lab, taken from their mothers, kept in separate cages, still have the innate ability, or perhaps innate desire, to groom one another.
I never thought about it before but, are there some ex lab/ex entertainment chimpanzees who do not groom or are cautious/anxious of being groomed once they become part of a group in sanctuary? And if so, is it easily taught since it appears to be a natural behavior? Perhaps a blog topic for another day.
I wonder if it’s part and parcel of why Clay has to live alone
Who is Clay?
One of Jody’s children
https://savethechimps.org/chimps/clay/
Thanks Linda. I read the bio and it sickens me to learn some of what they have endured. I don’t know of another specie other than humans that inflict so much cruelty without impunity.
Thanks for bringing up Clay, Linda! Clay is a perfect example for my question because after all he has been put through…still, he is a “groomer and a groomee”. His grooming and bonding may only take place through the mesh, much like Chad in this video, but Clay still participates in and benefits from the act of grooming. (Sweet boy.) I find it a marvel that the grooming behavior is never lost, even after our interference to crush everything “chimpanzee” within an individual.
As human primates, we have been slowly loosing this behavior to personally connect to form/keep bonds, reassure, and forgive for the betterment of the whole. Perhaps we’ve forgotten our survival may still depend on it. I often feel there is much we can learn from our cousins! 😉
I agree about the forgiveness.
As for touching, it’s cultural. In some other cultures, people still touch: in greeting, in conversation….here, it’s not as common, and can sometimes be bizarre (female students at a uni café braiding their professor’s hair comes to mind…THAT definitely called primatology rmto mind…:smile:)
It’s obviously the clacking that gets the job done correctly! I love to see the different pairs/groups interacting and strengthening their bonds. Lucky you, Chad to be part of that. I would love to see the next big step when you can remove your masks so that they can all see your faces again. I guess that when they all have access to outdoor space, they will see you …..also, they must recognize your voices, but masks might be bad memories of their lab days?
How unbearably sad for Clay and Jody and all the other chimps who were so badly abused.
“Humanity” indeed!