Page 4 - Amazing Land Animals

Getting the Message

Like us, chimpanzees have big brains and hands that can grasp things and hold them
up for a close look. Their eyes look to the front as ours do, and they have many similar
facial expressions. They live in tightly knit social groups, and often greet each other by
holding out hands, kissing, or hugging. They even smile and laugh. No wonder we think
they’re clever!

Washoe

Washoe was an amazing
chimp who was taught to use
sign language developed for
hearing impaired humans. She
learned 350 words, including
shoe, clothes, me, and you. She
could have long conversations
with her trainers in sign
language. She didn’t just use
words she was taught. Faced
with a thermos flask, Washoe
signed, metal cup drink.

Not Fair!
Scientists tested capuchin
monkeys by giving them a grape
or a cucumber as a reward for
handing the scientists a stone.
When one monkey saw his mate
getting a sweet grape while he
only got a boring cucumber,
he flung the cucumber back
in protest.

Hey, Guys!!!
Just like us, chimpanzees tell each other
things using different sounds and facial
expressions. They make a pant-hoot call
to tell other chimps to join them for
something exciting, such as finding a
new fruit tree. They pant oo-oo-oo quicker
and quicker, higher and higher, and
louder and louder.
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