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| Friendly |
| Friendly physical contact is very important to maintaining good relationships among chimpanzees.
The most obvious function of grooming is the removal of pieces of debris from soil, vegetation, and dried skin from hair.
However, grooming is also used to relax tension from threats and aggression. Social grooming is probably the most important
social behavior, serving to maintain or improve friendships. |
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| Jane's observation: | | July 1981 Satan is traveling alone through the forest. Suddenly he comes upon Goblin, who is resting on the ground some 30 meters ahead, peacefully chewing on a wadge of palm nuts. These two males have been, for some time, actively competing for dominance rank. As soon as he sees the younger male, Satan stops short, hair bristling. Goblin catches sight of Satan at about the same time and quickly sits up, all his hair erect. For the next forty-five seconds neither male moves. Goblin looks directly at Satan, who avoids the other male's gaze. Abruptly, hair still on end, Satan walks up to Goblin, who stays where he is, his hair bristling even more. He seems to swell up to twice his size. Satan, as he arrives within arm's reach of Goblin, suddenly turns and presents his rump for grooming. Goblin responds immediately with quick, vigorous movements. After thirty seconds Satan turns to face Goblin and the grooming becomes mutual. At first it is very tense on both sides with loud tooth clacking, but gradually the partners calm down. Twenty-one minutes later the two travel off and feed together, temporarily very relaxed in each other's company. Source: Patterns of Behavior, Chapter 14, Introduction. |
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