There are many stereotypes out there about chimpanzees. Anytime I tell someone that I work with chimps, it is almost a guarantee they bring up something about bananas or poop-throwing in their response. Today, I am weighing in on these stereotypes!
Bananas
Do chimpanzees love bananas? Yes. Do chimpanzees love bananas more than every other food? No. Do chimpanzees only eat bananas? No.
Chimpanzees love bananas, but they love fruits in general! We serve the chimps at CSNW a variety of fruits and veggies and they all individually have their favorite foods. While bananas are a well-liked fruit, apples, pears, melon, or oranges, are equally as liked. I’m not entirely sure why we as a society have latched on to the pairing of primates and bananas, but it shows up in movies, greeting cards, toys, etc. Weigh in below on where you think this stereotype originated!
Foxie eats banana:
Honey B eats banana:
Poop-throwing
I have worked at two ape sanctuaries and out of about 90 apes (orangutans and chimpanzees), only three chimpanzees threw feces. As you may or may not know, Jamie is our only poop-thrower at CSNW. And one is plenttttttttty. Chimpanzees don’t normally throw feces in the wild, but it is seen in captive settings. There are other primates, such as howler monkeys, that are known for throwing feces.
Jamie throws feces at new staff members or volunteers, when they are doing something that she doesn’t want them be doing (whether that be playing with Burrito, scrubbing toys, or simply existing). She doesn’t throw feces as much at her long-time human friends, such as J.B., Diana, or Kelsi, so her newer friends get the brunt of it.
I don’t want you to think less of Jamie because she throws feces. Instead, think about it from the perspective of her trying to control an environment that is run by humans.
Jamie:
What other stereotypes are out there about chimpanzees? Let me know!
