Chimpanzee grooming vocalizations fall into a few broad categories. Generally speaking, you’ve got your teeth clackers, your lip smackers, and your raspberry blowers. But within those categories, every chimp’s vocalization is unique. Some are quiet, with the lips just barely touching as if they are whispering. Others are quite loud – I can often hear Willy B’s teeth clacking during the morning grooming sessions through the security camera system audio.
Each chimpanzee has a different style of grooming, as well. Terry likes to do two things: 1) gently brush your skin with his fingers, and 2) try to pull individual hairs out of your arm. Our safety rules prohibit us from allowing the chimps to use two hands while grooming us, so Terry is forced to try to pluck our hairs by grasping them between his index and middle fingers. Luckily for us, it’s not very effective.
For chimps like Terry, grooming seems to be more about spending quality time with chimp and human friends. For Honey B, on the other hand, it’s all about picking scabs and drawing blood. She gets frenzied when she sees something to pick at, and she will continually direct you to turn your arm or present a different body part until she finds something good. I actually feel bad disappointing her when I haven’t injured myself recently. Honey B is the reason why we sometimes turn around and wonder how someone got in a fight without us hearing a sound. Where did all those wounds suddenly come from? Turns out Dr. Honey B was on duty and she opened every nearly-healed scrape and scab on one of her friends!
I wish chimpanzees were always as gentle as Terry is in this video as he tries to shoo away the third wheel at his grooming party.
Laura B. says
If memory serves, Missy is also an “exuberant” groomer. Perhaps genetics plays a role in one’s grooming ebthusiam and thoroughness.
Laura B. says
enthusiasm
Marie says
Honey B……. Everyone has a Skill and Picking Scabs appears to be your Trade….. It’s an Art to find that minuscule scab amongst Tons of Hair……. ready to be Picked to Perfection….BRAVO
Tobin says
Dr. Beezus, eh? Like mother, like daughter. Thank you for sharing this sweet video on this difficult day. Terry is just endearing.
Marie says
God Bless America
Linda C says
I was amazed at how softly he worked, JB, and actually was hoping he’d find a freckle! I was also expecting some raspberries.
But you got so close! I couldn’t help thinking, as he picked up the tool, that Jamie, Foxie or Burrito would not be able to resist a poke at the cameraman. Weren’t you worried about that?!
Nancy Duryea says
Such a lovely video, Terry was so sweet. He was gently trying to get Honey B to leave. J.B. thank you for the info on the different vocalizations. You always provide such detailed and interesting topics.
Paulette says
Honey B has beautiful ears! LOL. (sorry but I just could not help but notice)
Kathleen says
What a handsome face! The quality/details of this video are amazing, especially Terry’s fingers. Gentle giant is right, he is so gentle placing his ball down to sit. And it’s so sweet the way Terry delicately tapped, groomed Honey B on her shoulder but then gently put his hand on the back of her neck as if to say “shove off”!
I am curious about your comment on the chimps not interacting with both hands when grooming you. Makes perfect sense, but how do the chimps know to groom you with only one hand? They seem to be two handed groomers with each other so it would seem natural for them to poke fingers of both hands through the mesh to better get those little tidbits.
CarolR says
I think this is Terry’s version of PRT on humans. J.B….present your arm, hold……poke! Did you get a peanut or a blueberry for doing a good job? For the Chief Raspberry Blower, I’m surprised that he changes to clacking, but he’s so cute whichever way he decides to tell you.
Jenny Wilson says
Gosh. Fantastic, intimate footage!
Eli says
Terry is just such a teddy bear. I love how gentle he is. And he just has the best lips, he makes the best facial expressions!
Adrienne says
Great blog post, fantastic footage, thank you – you made my day!
Mark B. says
Terry seems like such a deep thinker.
Susan Kathleen Feeley says
I loved this video especially the expressions on Terry ‘s sweet face, looking very serious at the start of the video. It was funny, heartwarming and enlightening. What gentleness these chimpanzees are showing. Bless you all and God bless America.