Moja (chimpanzee) explained

Moja
Species:chimpanzee
Gender:female
Birth Place:Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP)
Known For:the first ape to paint figurative works

Moja (Swahili: "one") was a chimpanzee at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute.[1] She was born at the Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates (LEMSIP).[2] In infanthood Moja was treated in a similar way to a child, and immersed in an environment of American Sign Language.[3]

While engaging in play activities, she was observed changing her appearance in the presence of a mirror using clothing, masks and make-up. She was also observed to place sunglasses upon her head, look into a mirror and make the sign-language sign for "glasses" on one occasion, also using the mirror for the application of lip-gloss and a crayon for the same purpose.[4]

Moja is known as "the first ape to paint figurative works." For example, she drew a circle, colored it orange, and signed cherry.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://www.friendsofwashoe.org/about_fow.shtml About Friends of Washoe
  2. http://www.friendsofwashoe.org/moja_bio.shtml Moja's biography
  3. CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY - references 20 studies Copyright 2004-2009 Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute
  4. Robert W. Mitchell, 2002 - Pretending and imagination in animals and children - 370 pages Cambridge University Press, 21 Feb 2002 Retrieved 2012-01-23ISBN 0521770300
  5. Book: Herzfeld, Chris . The great apes : a short history . 2017 . Kevin Frey, Jane Goodall . 978-0-300-22137-4 . New Haven . 140 . 982651819.