Honey B is a complex chimpanzee. She is intelligent, sensitive, opinionated, over-the-top, stubborn, inquisitive, picky with food, and picky with humans. Honey B seems to prefer male caregivers, which is unfortunate for her, as this is a female dominated field (shoutout J.B. and Chad).
When I first started at CSNW, Honey B would often haze me when I interacted with her. She would invite me to groom with her and then use that as an opportunity to scream in my face. During meals, she would often spit her juice back on to my face unexpectedly. While this sounds intense, it’s just a normal part of becoming a chimpanzee caregiver. Some captive chimpanzees, I should rephrase and say a lot of captive chimpanzees, choose to spit and startle their caregivers because theyĀ can,Ā it’s something they can control.
Almost 4 years later, Honey B still invites me over to scream in my face and/or spits at me at meals. One day, a few months ago, she regurgitated everything in her stomach on my head, which led to my first shower at work. While I truly never know what I’m going to get with her, it makes calm, positive moments that much more rewarding. Honey B will sprinkle in some quality grooming and play sessions from time to time, making me wonder if our relationship has miraculously turned a corner. For example, the other day after our staff meeting, I went back to say hello to the chimps in my out-of-work clothes, which included a baseball hat. Honey B seemed to appreciate my hat, which made her initiate a long game of chase with me, going back and forth from her playroom to the greenhouse.
Honey B’s and my relationship ebbs and flows, but that’s okay! I would mess with my caregivers if I were her, too.
Honey B:
Bonus photo of George:
Ah Honey B.
I adore Honey B. Always have gravitated towards the “naughty” ones. Makes life so much more interesting and fun.
Honey B’s eyes just seem to pierce the soul
The guys ised to say she feeds on your soul :sweat_smile:
Jenna, sorry you had to have that shower at work but I’m so happy to see Honey B featured in the blog today, I love that girl and I’ve missed hearing about some of her escapades.
Jenna, sorry you had to take that shower at work. It was good to have Honey B featured in the blog today, I love that girl and have missed hearing about her escapades. She is a smarty for sure.
Thank you, Jenna, for sharing your unique friendship with Honey B. Reading your experiences with her makes me think back to Chadās recent post on animals deserving personhood. While I think every animal is complex, intelligent, caring, sensitive, curious, emotional, and deserving of our respect, there are some animals who are more obvious at āselling itāand proving these traits. Such as the Amazing Ms. Honey B! I will never, ever forget her hose caper. Enough said. š And just like you, Iād behave the same way if I were her, too!
Awwww The Honey B hose caper! That was AWESOME!! Thanks for the reminder Kathleen!
Janet
I am relatively new to this website. You have definitely peaked my interest. Is there a blog entry or video about the “hose caper”?
Hi Joel! Welcome! Here is the link to the video from 2023! https://chimpsnw.org/2023/03/the-great-hose-heist/
Fantastic. Thanks
wasn’t it Honey Booger who took the wall panel down? You need to send Joel that link as well!
OK. It’s really me that wants to see that video again. š
I see Jenna beat me to it! It’s a fan fav! Check out the positioning of those feet and the hand over hand technique!
Oh, that’s so gross, Jenna!
She is a tricky one…
Glad that you are keeping your chin up (and eyes and mouth closed, jic).
Doesn’t sound a bit like her Mom, well except for avoiding caregivers. But I still enjoy hearing about her antics and glad she occasionally accepts you as a playmate. Thanks for the pics. Sweet shot of George too.
Thank you, Jenna, wonderful blog! You described everthing so well. I could picture it all in vivid, living color! ?
Honey B is a character, for sure! Like Jamie, she may not always be the easiest to get along with, but I appreciate her intensity.
Thank you for sharing your personal history with Honey B. I think she has the most beautiful eyes that stare right through you. It seems she is overdue for one of her capers.
Did you just trigger a whole new enrichment idea for Honey B in particular…and maybe for all the chimps, but possibly also the human people who love them all, including the cows and the barn cat and all the caregivers, all the volunteers, and all the blog viewers.? Sounds like EVERYONE….especially Honey B…might need a custom designed CSNW baseball cap? …maybe there already is one that humans could purchase for themselves or sponsor for a human or non human CSNW fan?
not a bad idea!
Excellent idea, Roberta! Embroidered face of Honey B, front and center on the cap. I have an incredible vector-to-embroidery company I could suggest. Regardless, Iām placing my order now. š
I like that pic they took when she got the toy stuck in the door track. with one hand to the right as if to say, “Who, me? This door?”
Thanks for the blog, Jenna. The photos are amazing!
Of course they’re persons ’cause Honey Booger is my person! You’ve described me perfectly!! LOL
I guess she’s showing you who’s really the boss here. š I’m wondering…do the chimps spit at or on each other or just the caregivers? You’re a brave one to still keep in her aim. The things we put up with from the ones we love, right?
good question! They primarily spit on humans. However, I’ve seen Honey B spit on other chimps when she seemingly was in a silly mood. It was more of a gentle stream, than a blast. And I’ve seen Willy B spit on chimps (an absolute blast of water) when he’s worked up and it usually starts drama. It’s very interesting.
Paulette, You are not Aaone In wanting to see the great hose caper shenanigans again. I watched it twice. I think the second time just for the music. zhoney B’s cleverness is second to none.