Each chimpanzee makes a nest in their own unique way. In fact, I bet most chimpanzee caregivers could name the chimp if someone simply described how they make a nest at night. Here at CSNW, we’ve got Jody, who gathers up as many blankets as possible, throws them over her shoulder and drops half of them in a doorway as she searches for the right bench to sleep on. And Burrito, who throws a single blanket over his shoulder on his way to bed like he is carrying a towel to the swimming pool. And Honey B, who wraps herself up like a to-go burrito. All ten of of the chimps here have a particular style and a ritual when it comes to nest-making. As do most humans, I would assume.
Here are a few bonus photos of Foxie from this morning.
that’s 2 more blankets down, JB. How”s the supply doing?
Everyone stay Foxie, my friends!
…now that makes for a lot of laundry!!
I didn’t know Jody liked to bring a doll to bed with her, awww, so sweet.
She was very serious about all her blanket ripping, It didn’t seem random at all,
she knew just the shape she wanted.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
One can never have enough bankies. 🙂
Judy likes to sleep high…I would be afraid of rolling out of bed… LOL!
The princess and the pea! I know you’ve mentioned Jody and her blanket shredding but I couldn’t help chuckling as she tore into those two blankets thinking how do you ever keep enough in stock? Jody is purposefully tearing and placing those blanket strips in specific places so everything is just so. Love her technique, snug and cozy! And I never knew she brings a doll to bed either. That’s so sweet, as are her little happy grunts. Thanks for sharing her beddy-bye ritual J.B., I hope she didn’t mind being photographed. What a treat to see.
Sweet dreams dear Jody. (I wonder if she dreams of foraging.)
Is there a reason you don’t give them a soft mattress or pad to sleep on? Like a big dog bed for instance?
Hi Leonie – There are a couple of reasons. First, mattresses would be nearly impossible to keep clean, as the beds tend to get tossed around during the day and dragged across the floor. At least one of our older residents (not naming any names) also has some nighttime incontinence issues. But more importantly, chimps actually prefer using blankets or straw to make nests, and this probably has to do with their nest-making instinct, which was born out of the need to keep from falling out of trees at night. When captive chimpanzees make nests, they often make them on hard, sturdy surfaces and use the blankets to form walls around them. Now imagine a free-living chimpanzee selecting a sturdy branch to lie on as they bend and fold branches and leaves to keep from rolling off while they sleep. Captive chimps certainly could use the blankets to lie down upon, but instead they seem to being seeking that feeling of being “locked” in place.
so….no one sleeps on that center platform in the greenhouse, huh?
Jamie and Annie each sleep out on that platform at times into the evening but they eventually move indoors for the night.
Fascinating video. I am amazed at how she knew exactly where those two strips should go. Loved the
‘ good night, Jo” at the end of the clip.
Oh what peace you give me. That was so interesting and your descriptions so well worded. What a blessing you are.
The fact that so many of the chimps have dolls with them for various purposes, is so heart touching!
Good night, dear Jody girl. May you dream of Autumn fields abounding in pumpkins.
I had to watch this again. I missed that Jody got a drink before going to bed, it appears the actual sipping was cut out but she rubs her nose and then smacks her lips after her sippy. (Is that Foxie coming into the frame for a bedtime sip too?) It is all too precious. It is so human, or maybe we are so chimpanzee. As always, my heart expands and feels so full of happiness as I watch her. And like Elaine Reininger mentions, your “Good Night Jo” is the sweetest. How fortunate you are J.B. to move about the chimp house in the quiet ritual of everyone settling in for the night.
lol, the front end says Annie or Foxie, the back end says Fox