Chimpanzee: Characteristics, Diet, Facts & More [Fact Sheet]

Welcome to this comprehensive fact sheet about one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, the chimpanzee!

Intriguing, intelligent, and socially complex, these creatures captivate the imagination and offer invaluable insights into the evolution of primates, including humans.

In this article, we will delve into various aspects of the chimpanzee, from its biology and behavior to its conservation status.

The Chimpanzee at a Glance

Classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order:	Primates
Family:	Hominidae
Genus:	Pan
Species:	P. troglodytes

Essential Information

Average Size:	4–5.5 ft (1.2–1.7 m)
Average Weight:	Males: 90–130 lbs (40–60 kg); Females: 60–110 lbs (27–50 kg)
Average Lifespan:	40–45 years (wild); up to 60 years (captivity)
Geographical Range:	Central and West Africa
Conservation Status:	Endangered (IUCN Red List)

Species and Subspecies

There are two species generally recognized under the common name “chimpanzee”: the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and the bonobo (Pan paniscus). The common chimpanzee is further divided into four subspecies:

1. Central Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes troglodytes): Found in Central Africa, larger communities, known for complex social interactions.
2. Western Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus): Found in West Africa, unique cultural and tool-using behaviors.
3. Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii): Found in East Africa, more aggressive compared to other subspecies.
4. Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti): Found in the border region between Nigeria and Cameroon, the most endangered among the subspecies.

Bonobos are less aggressive than common chimpanzees and are known for their peaceful and matriarchal societies.

Description

Chimpanzees are covered with black hair but have a bare face, fingers, toes, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. They are built for a versatile lifestyle, with arms that are longer than their legs, allowing them to walk on all fours when necessary—a form of locomotion called “knuckle-walking.”

Their opposable thumbs and big toes help them grasp objects and climb trees. One anatomical feature that sets them apart is their highly developed brain, which allows for complex thought processes and problem-solving.

Males are typically larger than females and can weigh between 90 and 130 pounds (40–60 kg) and measure between 4 and 5.5 feet (1.2–1.7 m) from head to toe.

Females usually weigh between 60 and 110 pounds (27–50 kg) and are slightly shorter than males. Males also exhibit more robust features and are generally more aggressive.

Habitat and Distribution

Chimpanzees are primarily found in the rainforests and savannas of Central and West Africa. They are highly adaptable and can inhabit various types of forests, including montane forests and swamp forests. They can also be found in woodland and grassland regions but always prefer to stay near water sources.

Different subspecies are distributed according to geography: Central Chimpanzees are found in Central Africa, Western Chimpanzees in West Africa, Eastern Chimpanzees in East Africa, and Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzees along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

Behavior

Chimpanzees are diurnal creatures, active during the day and resting at night. They are incredibly social animals and live in communities ranging from 15 to 150 individuals. These communities have complex social hierarchies, usually led by an alpha male.

Within a community, smaller sub-groups form and reform depending on various factors like food availability and social dynamics. Males usually stay in the community where they were born, while females may migrate to another community upon reaching sexual maturity.

Chimpanzees have a wide range of vocalizations, including hoots, grunts, and screams, to communicate different emotions and messages.

They also use facial expressions and body language, like hugs and pats on the back, to show affection or reconcile after conflicts. Tool use for various purposes, including getting food and grooming, is also a form of communication and culture-sharing within the community.

Additional behaviors include grooming as a social activity and a form of bonding, and the use of leaves as “sponges” or “cups” to drink water.

Diet and Feeding Behavior

Chimpanzees are omnivores, eating a wide range of food that includes fruits, nuts, leaves, flowers, and insects. They also hunt smaller mammals, including monkeys and bushbabies, for meat. The proportion of plant to animal matter in the diet varies by availability and geographic location.

Chimpanzees have a variety of strategies for acquiring food. Fruit is generally foraged individually or in small groups, while larger and more organized hunting parties are formed to capture animals.

They are known to use tools like sticks to extract termites from their mounds or to extract honey. Social dynamics play a role in sharing the spoils of a hunt, where higher-ranking individuals often get first dibs but may share food to maintain social bonds.

Predators

Chimpanzees, being relatively large and social animals, face fewer threats from predators than smaller mammals. However, leopards are known to hunt chimpanzees, especially those who stray from the group or are out at night.

Young chimps are more vulnerable and may fall prey to large birds of prey or even other primates. Human activities like hunting and habitat destruction also pose significant threats.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Chimpanzees do not have a specific breeding season, and females come into estrus roughly every 36 days. During this period, they may mate with multiple males in the community. The alpha male has mating priority, but females will also mate covertly with other males when possible.

The gestation period lasts for about 230–240 days (around 7.5 to 8 months). A single infant is most common, although twins do occur occasionally.

Usually, a single young is born, and it clings to its mother’s belly until it is strong enough to ride on her back at about six months. Infants are weaned at about four years old but may maintain a close relationship with their mothers for life. In a community, ‘aunts,’ ‘uncles,’ and older siblings may also participate in caring for the young.

Conservation and Threats

The chimpanzee is currently listed as “Endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Their populations are dwindling due to habitat loss, hunting, and diseases transmitted by humans.

Key threats to chimpanzees include habitat destruction due to agriculture and human settlement, illegal hunting for bushmeat, and the pet trade. They are also susceptible to diseases transmitted by humans, which can have devastating effects on populations.

Various organizations and governments are involved in chimpanzee conservation efforts. Protected areas have been established, and community education programs are underway to combat hunting and the pet trade.

Programs like the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in the Republic of Congo are also providing care for orphaned and injured chimpanzees.

Fun Facts

1. Chimpanzees use tools more proficiently than any animals except for humans.
2. They are capable of learning sign language.
3. Chimpanzees can recognize themselves in a mirror, demonstrating a level of self-awareness.
4. They engage in “warfare” and territorial disputes with other chimp communities.
5. Chimpanzees share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans.

Frequently Asked Questions