Chimpanzee

Yousaf et al. 2021 Fig.1

Naturales IMG 1851

Chimp and human hands

Gombe Stream NP Schlafstelle

Adult female and infant wild chimpanzees feeding on Ficus sur

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), also known as the common chimpanzee, is a species of great ape native to the forests and savannahs of tropical Africa. It is a member of the Hominidae family, which also includes humans, gorillas, and orangutans. The chimpanzee is closely related to the bonobo (Pan paniscus), with which it shares the genus Pan. The two species are the closest living relatives to humans, sharing approximately 98.7% of their DNA.

Description

Chimpanzees have a robust build with long arms, short legs, and no tail. Adult males weigh between 40 to 70 kg (88 to 154 lb), while females are slightly smaller. Their bodies are covered with coarse black hair, except for the face, fingers, toes, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. Chimpanzees have large ears, and their faces are pinkish to black. As they age, their faces darken. They have very strong jaws and teeth, particularly their large canine teeth, which they use for defensive displays and fights.

Behavior

Chimpanzees are highly social animals that live in communities ranging from 15 to 150 members, but they travel and forage in much smaller groups during the day. Their societies are male-dominated, with a strict hierarchy. Females usually emigrate from the community in which they were born and join new communities upon reaching maturity.

Chimpanzees are known for their use of tools. They use sticks to fish for termites, leaves to sponge up water, and rocks to crack nuts. Their ability to use tools was once thought to be a uniquely human trait, but extensive research on chimpanzees has challenged this notion.

Diet

Chimpanzees are omnivores, meaning they eat a varied diet of fruits, nuts, seeds, leaves, and occasionally hunt smaller animals for meat, including monkeys and small antelopes. Their diet varies significantly with the seasons and their habitats.

Habitat and Distribution

Chimpanzees are found across central and West Africa, with their range extending from Senegal in the west to Uganda in the east. They inhabit a variety of environments, including tropical rainforests, dry savannahs, and montane forests.

Conservation Status

The chimpanzee is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Their populations are threatened by habitat destruction, poaching, and disease. Conservation efforts are underway to protect their habitats and prevent their decline.

Relationship with Humans

Chimpanzees have been studied extensively to understand aspects of human evolution and behavior. They are capable of learning sign language and performing tasks that require cognition and memory. However, their use in research and as pets has raised ethical concerns. Efforts to protect chimpanzees in the wild and in sanctuaries are ongoing, emphasizing the need for conservation and ethical treatment.

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