I once learned in a primate behavior class that adult chimps don’t tend to play much unless they’re playing with juveniles. Clearly, nobody gave the Cle Elum Seven the news. These are a few of my favorite play videos:
Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest
Hope. Love. Home. Sanctuary
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Well, I’m glad these 7 do, because it makes my day!
I think I was kind of getting at this when I asked a while back how many hours they sleep a day, and whether or not it compares to chimps in the wild……I wonder if they play because they’re not out in the wild, and don’t have to spend time defending territory, foraging, and finding nest spots and creating them….sort of like those ancient civilizations that created settlements produced more artistic work (decorated pots and decorative jewelry) vs the nomadic groups, that didn’t/don’t have time for that.
So I wonder if these chimps seem to play more, because they don’t have all of the “drudgery” involved in living in the wild.
That may very well be, Linda! Of course, we would prefer that they were in the wild doing all those things chimpanzees should be doing, but since they can’t be, we’re glad they’re having a good time here. 🙂
I think Linda is on to something here. But I bet if socks, trolls, cowboy boots, wooden toys, rolls of paper and stuffed animals grew on trees in the wild, we’d discover that chimpanzees of all ages love to play. You just gotta have the right toys. ; )
Thanks Elizabeth for collecting all of these very funny videos. I’m saving this link for when I need a good laugh!
“Party Police” always makes me laugh!