The other day, someone made a beautiful nest by one of the upstairs windows with a mix of blankets and timothy hay. I am guessing this was Missy’s. She is a nesting perfectionist and often builds the walls so high that she disappears into them. Many chimps will lay directly on the floor and build the nest around them, but Missy makes sure hers has a nice cushioned bottom.
What always amazes me about chimp nests is that everything is so interwoven that you can almost pick them up whole. This, of course, comes from the instinct to weave branches together securely to keep from falling out of the trees at night. Jamie often builds her nests next to the caging, and she will take the ends of the blankets and weave them through the wire mesh. Her nests take a lot of time to deconstruct!
Beautiful!
Great picture and lovely description – reminds me of a birds nest. Do you dismantle them when you clean the rooms? Maybe you can save one for an auction item next year! (just kidding!).
Steph — I was thinking the exact same thing!
Looks pretty comfy. I would give it a try!
Hmm, an auction item… maybe if we shellac a nest to preserve it :)
I think the selection of a green blanket to weave into the hay is especially lovely. :-) What great design sense!
I bet our bulldog, Tucker, would love to curl up in it!!!
How long do you think it takes to build one of these masterpieces???
What a cozy way to spend an afternoon! OK Any one willing to shellac a nest for the auction? :) Thanks JB.
Steph – Yes, all toys and blankets get cleaned and disinfected daily. Captive chimps, like their free-living counterparts, build new nests each night, sometimes multiple nests in a day. So in case anyone is wondering, we’re not stealing anyone’s prized nest :)
Gayle – It depends on the individual, but it can take 10 minutes or longer to get a nest just right. Often you will see them get close to finishing, and then tear everything apart and start over.
Hey, Looks just like my setup in the bedroom!