Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

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Chimpanzee Grooming

by Jenna

A couple weeks ago, Chad asked the blog readers for questions so that we could answer them on future blog posts. Several questions came up about grooming: what are chimps looking for on their partners while they groom, do they eat it, and what types of insects live on the chimps’ hair and skin?

Grooming is a natural chimpanzee behavior to strengthen and build social bonds. One chimpanzee will look through the hair of another chimpanzee and inspect their hair and skin for insects, dirt, or debris. In captivity, there are obviously not going to be as many insects on the chimps as there would be if they were in the wild. Although the CSNW chimps have access to outdoor spaces, they spend a lot of their day inside and sleep indoors, so they naturally aren’t going to be covered in bugs. Dirt and dry skin though? Definitely. They often eat dry skin off one another and groom the hair with their lips.

While grooming, chimps often make lip-smacking, teeth-clacking, or raspberry noises. Without looking at the chimpanzees interacting, as a caregiver, I can usually hear who is grooming nearby based on their individual grooming noises.Ā  Each chimpanzee has their own unique rhythm or approach to their grooming noises. Sometimes, the chimps will even exaggerate their grooming vocalizations (noises) if they’re trying very hard to socially bond (say with a new chimpanzee friend) or if they see a patch of skin that looks really enticing to groom.

Grooming is beneficial for many reasons, as it can help reduce stress as well. Captive chimps love grooming humans too. Through the mesh, caregivers are able to safely interact and allow the chimps to groom the back of their hands, knees and elbows. The chimps seem to love when we have dry skin or a scab they can groom.

We also were asked if George bites his nails. Yes, he does. Biting nails can be a grooming behavior, as most chimps will tend to their own and others’ nails. However, George bites his nails more frequently, beyond the point of just grooming. I would almost classify this as a coping mechanism for George. I also bite my nails when I’m unsure or anxious, so I get it. George is still adjusting to his new world at CSNW so it makes sense for him to do something that brings him comfort.

Mave and Dora grooming:

Rayne grooming Honey B:

Mave grooming Honey B with her lips:

Mave, Lucky, and Willy B grooming:

Burrito grooming Missy:

Cy grooming Lizz’s elbow:

Ellen grooming Jamie with a tool:Ā 

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Comments

  3. Penelope Yungblut says

    Thanks, it is great to understand this important behavior and its functions, including what chimps look for when grooming one another. So interesting that each chimp has their own unique grooming sounds and you can identity who it is.

  4. Kathleen says

    Thanks Jenna! I have always enjoyed the various sounds, especially the teeth clacking. Who are the groomers who really pluck out patches of hair (Ouch!)? And I am curious if Honey B caught on to the reciprocity of grooming yet?

    You should create a video, a compilation of clips to demonstrate the sound and image of each chimp preforming their grooming skills. šŸ™‚ Now that would be interesting and sort of funny at the same time. I bet the chimps would enjoy watching it more than all of us! (Iā€™m sure you could do this in all that spare time you have! I feel guilty, even suggesting it jokingly!)