Jane Goodall: ‘People are surprised I have a wicked sense of humour’

‘I drink a whisky every night. It’s a ritual. Mum and I used to have a small glass together at home’: Jane Goodall. Photograph: Erik Tanner/Contour by Getty Images

The scientist in me was evident early on. At four, desperate to know how eggs come out of chickens, I hid inside a hen house waiting to witness it. When I finally returned, Mum had called the police. I’d been missing for hours. Instead of punishing me, she listened intently to my discoveries.

I was jealous of Tarzan’s Jane as a child. Yes, I know they were fictional. But I still felt spurned he didn’t pick me.