| 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]