The Minds and Manners of Wild Animals: A Book of Personal Observations

We saw hundreds upon hundreds of animals; but with the exception of the big black monkeys that used to swear at us, I can almost count upon my fingers the whole number of times that we heard animals raise their voices to communicate with each other. Ape Voices. Naturally it is of interest to know something of the voices of the animals that physically and mentally stand nearest to man. The wild gorilla has a voice almost equal to that of the chimpanzee, but in captivity he rarely utters any vocal sound other than a shriek, or scream. The baby orang-utan either whines or shrieks like a human child. The half-grown or adult orang when profoundly excited bellows or roars, in a deep bass voice. Usually, however, it is a persistently silent animal. The chimpanzee has a voice, and vociferously expresses its emotions. First and most often is the plaintive, coaxing note, "Who'-oo! who'-oo! who'-oo!" Then comes the angry and threatening, "Wah', wah', wah-! Wah'-hool Wah'-hool" Lastly we hear the fearful, high-pitched yell or shriek, "Ah-h-h- h!" or "E-e-e-e." The shriek, or scream, can be heard half a mile, and at close range it is literally ear-splitting. Usually it is accompanied by violent stamping or pounding with the feet upon the floor. It may signify rage, or nothing more than the joy of living, and of having a place in which to yell. It is this cry that is uncannily human-like in sound, and when heard for the first time it seems to register anguish.