黑猩猩在(zai)形態(tai)上(shang)與(yu)大(da)猩猩很相似(si),由于體(ti)(ti)毛較為(wei)粗短,體(ti)(ti)型也顯(xian)得瘦(shou)小(xiao),雄(xiong)獸(shou)體(ti)(ti)長為(wei)110-140厘米,站立(li)時高1-1.7米,體(ti)(ti)重50-75千克,雌性比雄(xiong)獸(shou)小(xiao),但雄(xiong)獸(shou)和雌獸(shou)間的差別沒有大(da)猩猩大(da)。
黑猩猩能做出(chu)喜(xi)、怒、哀、樂等(deng)表(biao)(biao)情(qing)(qing),當同(tong)(tong)(tong)伴(ban)(ban)在(zai)一(yi)起(qi)相遇時(shi),就(jiu)(jiu)發(fa)出(chu)大聲喊叫,表(biao)(biao)示問候,有的(de)還互相欠身(shen)、拉手(shou)、摟抱(bao)、親(qin)吻(wen)或用(yong)手(shou)撫摸對方(fang)的(de)臉和(he)脖子等(deng)。當有的(de)個體脾氣煩(fan)躁時(shi),同(tong)(tong)(tong)伴(ban)(ban)就(jiu)(jiu)會(hui)把(ba)手(shou)搭在(zai)它的(de)肩上(shang),使(shi)其平(ping)靜下來。相互交流(liu)思(si)想(xiang)和(he)情(qing)(qing)報的(de)時(shi)候,不僅依靠不同(tong)(tong)(tong)的(de)聲音(yin),而且使(shi)用(yong)各種(zhong)各樣的(de)姿式和(he)手(shou)勢來表(biao)(biao)達較為復雜的(de)感情(qing)(qing)。例(li)如當看到(dao)樹上(shang)結(jie)有成熟(shu)的(de)果實(shi)時(shi),就(jiu)(jiu)會(hui)大聲嚎叫,通知(zhi)同(tong)(tong)(tong)伴(ban)(ban)取食(shi);遭到(dao)攻(gong)擊(ji)時(shi),會(hui)發(fa)出(chu)驚嚇或感到(dao)疼痛的(de)嚎叫,讓同(tong)(tong)(tong)伴(ban)(ban)前(qian)來支援(yuan);一(yi)個成員(yuan)(yuan)黑猩猩捕到(dao)獵(lie)物(wu),其他(ta)成員(yuan)(yuan)會(hui)伸(shen)手(shou)去要吃;感到(dao)驚訝時(shi),總(zong)是接觸或擁抱(bao)旁邊的(de)同(tong)(tong)(tong)伴(ban)(ban);發(fa)現(xian)豐盛的(de)果實(shi),則露(lu)出(chu)欣喜(xi)的(de)表(biao)(biao)情(qing)(qing),與(yu)同(tong)(tong)(tong)伴(ban)(ban)狂熱地(di)親(qin)吻(wen)和(he)擁抱(bao),以表(biao)(biao)示興奮等(deng)等(deng)。同(tong)(tong)(tong)伴(ban)(ban)之間也常彼此梳(shu)毛、抓癢(yang)、捉寄生蟲等(deng),以促(cu)進情(qing)(qing)感的(de)交流(liu)。
多年來,專家對黑(hei)猩(xing)(xing)猩(xing)(xing)使用符(fu)號語言(yan)和手勢語言(yan)的實驗研(yan)究,已(yi)經突破了(le)巴(ba)甫洛(luo)夫關(guan)于(yu)“人類以外的其他(ta)動物(wu)都不具備第二信號系統”的結論(lun)。經過相(xiang)當(dang)的訓練之后,黑(hei)猩(xing)(xing)猩(xing)(xing)就會掌握用一整套(tao)不同顏(yan)色和圖形的塑料片(pian)組成的詞(ci)(ci)匯系統,并且用它們來與(yu)人進(jin)行(xing)(xing)交談。黑(hei)猩(xing)(xing)猩(xing)(xing)還能(neng)學(xue)(xue)會一百多個手勢,“詞(ci)(ci)”。它們不僅可以使用這些詞(ci)(ci)與(yu)人交談,還可以在學(xue)(xue)會了(le)手勢語言(yan)的黑(hei)猩(xing)(xing)猩(xing)(xing)之間(jian)相(xiang)互進(jin)行(xing)(xing)交談。甚至能(neng)把學(xue)(xue)會的詞(ci)(ci)創造性地(di)應用于(yu)它認為合(he)適的場合(he)。比如(ru)當(dang)它學(xue)(xue)會“臟(zang)”一詞(ci)(ci)后,甚至用這個詞(ci)(ci)來罵(ma)人。有一次黑(hei)猩(xing)(xing)猩(xing)(xing)看(kan)到(dao)一只打架的猴(hou)子,它很討厭這猴(hou)子,就用手勢罵(ma)它“臟(zang)猴(hou)子”。