COLOR ME CHIMPANZEE

A Learn-While-Coloring Activity

Hi! I’m Melinda. I study facial expressions of animals and people. I use my knowledge to help artists make characters in movies and games look better!

Chimpanzees, like humans, use facial expressions to communicate and show their feelings.

Sometimes chimpanzee facial expressions can look similar to human facial expressions. Sometimes they mean something similar. Sometimes they don’t.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Compare chimpanzee facial expressions
  • Understand how different facial expressions convey different emotions
  • Connect to how human facial expressions are similar to or different from chimpanzee expressions
  • Learn that chimpanzees have emotions that relate to human emotions
  • Express creativity through color
  • Practice fine motor skills, coordination, and concentration

Here are three different chimpanzee facial expressions that use the same facial muscles as we use. 

Learn what they mean and how to tell them apart!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

In real life, adult chimpanzees have dark-colored faces and young chimpanzees have light pink faces.

Use your imagination to color them however you want! In the examples above, I used some of my favorite colors.

Print to color or use a paint app online, like MS Paint or a similar

COLOR THE EXPRESSIVE FACES OF OUR CHIMPANZEE COUSINS!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kret, M. E., Prochazkova, E., Sterck, E., & Clay, Z. (2020). Emotional expressions in human and non-human great apes. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 115, 378–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.027

Lindell A. K. (2013). Continuities in emotion lateralization in human and non-human primates. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 7, 464. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00464

Parr, L. (2007, January). Understanding chimpanzee facial expression: insights into the evolution of communication. ResearchGate. Retrieved January 31, 2022, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23452365_Understanding_chimpanzee_facial_expression_insights_into_the_evolution_of_communication

Parr, L. A., Waller, B. M., Vick, S. J., & Bard, K. A. (2007). Classifying chimpanzee facial expressions using muscle action. Emotion, 7(1), 172–181. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.7.1.172

Lesson and artwork developed by Melinda Ozel, 2022. Learn more about Melinda and her work at melindaozel.com

Copyright © New England Primate Conservancy 2022. You may freely use, copy and share these Learning Activities for educational purposes. 
For questions or comments, e-mail us at [email protected]