We put out fresh straw this morning in the outdoor area and Jody wasted no time building a large, comfortable nest.
nest
Quiet time with trolls, more nesting
For Foxie, passing a troll to a caregiver is usually an invitation to play. But sometimes it can be an invitation to sit down and have some “quiet time”. Foxie will gently rub the troll on her belly, or place it in her pelvic pocket, and then pass it back to us. After a minute or so, she’ll extend her hand and ask for the troll back again. This back-and-forth can go on for quite some time, during which Foxie seems content as can be. This morning’s exchange involved two trolls:
As soon as I left, Foxie started to make a nest. Not a real nest, mind you, but a Foxie-style nest: a couple of trolls and a piece of fire hose. Better than nothing!
More on Nest-Making
Foxie has been using a lot of enrichment lately, but she still hasn’t begun making nests with sheets and blankets like the other chimps do. Its her choice though, so if she feels more comfortable without a nest, more power to her. But I must say that I am looking forward to the day that she discovers the comfort and security that the other chimps find in nest-making.
Jody, on the other hand, is a master nest-maker, second only to Missy. When she’s done making an elaborate nest and she lays on her back with a foot in the air, she looks like she doesn’t have a care in the world.
Someone recently asked whether or not Burrito makes nests. He often lays down with a single sheet over himself, sometimes just covering his middle (not out of modesty I can assure you). But he can’t resist stealing someone else’s nest – why do all the work when Jody can do it for you?
