Bonobo "Kissing" a Ball

Lucy is a five year old bonobo living at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. She is seen here pursing her lips at a heavy plastic ball that the keepers have provided for enrichment. It would be anthropomorphic to suggest that she is kissing it, but in reality, a young bonobo's sense of curiosity and exploration can be likened to that of a adolescent human. Lucy may be testing the roundness of a hole in the ball, or feeling the texture of the plastic against her lips, or even tasting the taste of whatever the ball has rolled in.

In fact, the keepers say that this picture was of Lucy after she had dipped the ball in the moat, to fill it with water. The bonobos often use their toys to collect water to drink. After drinking, Lucy passed the ball behind her. She walked a few steps with it held it close against her back with her long arms. She also laid on her back, and balanced the ball on her outstretched feet. This sequence of behavior lasted only a minute and a half.

Photo by M. Brickner