Read My Lips

  • By Darby Proctor
  • Posted 02.13.07
  • NOVA

Bonobos have many ways of letting other bonobos know what's on their mind. In this slide show, study a random sampling of bonobo facial expressions and gestures, and learn to tell the difference between, say, "Let's play!" and "Give me some food." All photos were taken by Dr. Amy Pollick of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta. The bonobos live at the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

Launch Interactive Printable Version

See a slide show of bonobo gestures and facial expressions, and find out what they mean.

This feature originally appeared on the site for the NOVA program The Last Great Ape.

Darby Proctor is a research assistant at the Living Links Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Credits

Images

(all)
Courtesy of Dr. Amy Pollick, Living Links Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center
(playing "airplane," bonobos holding hands, Jumanji making play face toward Muhdeblu, Lenore grinning at Lori)
taken at San Diego Wild Animal Park
(Mchumba wrestling with adult, Ikela laughing, Lana begging, Mchumba and Junior kissing)
taken at San Diego Zoo

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