Nothing can distract chimpanzees from eating their breakfast – except, of course, for drama from the group of chimpanzees next door.
Many thanks to everyone who took the time to pose questions on our Ask Us Anything blog post. Based on the video above, I thought I could begin by answering a question posed by Kathleen:
Have you seen any changes within The Seven now that new chimpanzees are living “in their home”. Have any shown signs of stress or anxiety over the commotions and basic existence of chimpanzees living next door? Do any over groom, or are any obsessively curious over the new neighbors? Things like that.
If there is anxiety or stressors, did it/does it lead to any new conflicts/squabbles within the group?
To be perfectly honest, I think there are both benefits and drawbacks to having multiple groups of chimpanzees living near one another.
The main drawback is that chimpanzees exhibit a significant amount of emotional contagion, particularly during high-arousal situations. So yes, there are occasions where a conflict on one side of the chimp house leads to a conflict on the other side, for no other reason than the chimps get worked up listening to the screaming and end up scuffling with each other. That’s not to say that these squabbles aren’t based on some preexisting grudge, but the proximate cause seems, at least from our perspective, to be the behavior of the chimps in the other group.
These “spillover” conflicts are pretty rare, however, and the mere existence of another group nearby doesn’t appear to cause any chronic stress or tension. Generally, I’d say having another group nearby is a benefit. For one thing, all social primates seem to be drawn to drama. And all the better if that drama is happening on TV, in a magazine, or among the folks next door where it won’t impact us personally. The Cle Elum Seven chimps are riveted by the arguments taking place across the way and will stop whatever they are doing to watch The Real Housewives of Phase 2, as you can see in the video. In a way, it can actually improve group cohesion – after all, nothing makes an ingroup like an outgroup! What else could possibly make Jamie and Burrito feel like they are on the same team?
But it’s not just drama that they are interested in. The girls often swoon when Willy B is within view, and Burrito spends a lot of time trying to get his neighbors’ attention at the window. Chimpanzees are social animals and though the two groups can’t live together at this time, they often benefit from interacting at a distance. It makes their otherwise small world just a bit larger.
Ken & Gracie the beagle says
i just love the interruption.
it showed for me their sence of being a wild animal.
thank you!!
tomaustin says
psychology at it’s best….!!!
CeeCee says
What a great video !
Such nosy neighbors, It just cracked me up when they all ran to get a better view of the “car crash” going on next door. And I like that drinking method, you can tell that this is a well worked out event, very stable pouring hand, right into the mouth, lots of trust and love going on there.:revolving_hearts:
marianne says
That struck me too CeeCee, and of course it helps that the bottom lip fits right through the cagesquare, and is able to stick out to become a bowl…
Linda C says
Breakfast theatre!
“Real Housewives of Phase 2”! :joy::sweat_smile: You always come up with a good one, JB!
I Iove that they already know which spots are the best vantage point!
And as usual, Neggie gives not one kernel.
People on both sides have that smoothie pour down to a T, not a drop wasted!
The Boss must start her day in a good mood when an almost whole apple is served at breakfast!
Judy says
Great post and view into the in’s and out’s of interactions at a distance. LOVED the smoothy pour… so smooth.. to be redundant. Thanks J.B. And great questions Kathleen!
Kathleen says
The video was a great answer to my questions. Perfect and thank you J.B.! Breakfast was so peaceful until Annie (of all people) had to announce the neighbors were at it again. That was so funny, evryone moved swiftly to join in the snooping. Well, everyone but Negra. That’s my girl! I was waiting for Neggie to make her famous clap announcig the nonsense should end because food awaits.
Thank you for your explanation. It all makes sense. I understand what you mean about the chimps feeding off of the “emotional contagion, particularly during high-arousal situations”. I witness a similar reaction in dogs who live together, confined within a shelter environment. One dogs stress or anxiety can spread into a barking-snarking fest in a split second. Perhaps, when it is all over it feels good (for most) to blow off some steam.
I am also happy to hear the girls are still swooning over Willy B! I guess since I hadn’t heard much about this lately I assumed the crushes had worn off. So now I have to ask if it is just a “Willy B thing” or do the gals get equally excited over the other handsome boys next door?
I just might have a few follow-up questions once the new outdoor enclosures are completed on both sides and getting some action. Coming Soon…..The “Real Housewives of Phase 4”!
J.B. says
The chute and courtyard have been closed off for a while now – first during intros and now for construction. So the girls haven’t been able to get a close-up look at the boys next door lately. But they did appreciate when Cy would make an appearence in the chute and I’m sure they look forward to seeing him up close again.