Information and Facts
about Chimpanzees

Introduction to Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are a type of ape and they certainly get the attention of people. They are cute and comical at times. This is where their name stems from, meaning mock man. This name was offered in 1738 and has stuck with them.

They are huge attractions at zoos due to the way they interact with each other. They have an established hierarchy and they do take care of their young very well. Watching them learn from each other and how they care for each other reminds many people of their own human relationships.

Today there are two species of Chimpanzees that remain - the common Chimpanzee and the Bonobo. All of them are very closely related to humans, sharing 94% of the same DNA. This is a fact that many are uneasy with though. They don’t like the idea that we keep animals in captivity that is very similar to humans. This is where many animal rights grounds want to draw a line.

Adult males can weigh about 150 pounds and range from 5 to 6 feet in height. Females look very similar to the males but they weigh less and they are about a foot shorter. It is believed that the physical appearance of the Chimpanzee plays a very important role in their overall social structure.

They consume a variety of different types of foods out there. This includes fruit when it is in season. They also eat leaves, flowers, and seeds throughout the year. They do eat other animals too including small insects and termites. They are known to hunt together and kill other monkeys.

The fact that they have great memories, they can problem solve, and they show emotions to each other makes them very similar to humans. They are also able to recognize themselves when shown mirrors or pictures. The world of Chimpanzee research continues to show us a great deal about these animals.

Humans need to be careful though about their efforts in the same areas where these animals live. Today the Chimpanzee is considered to be endangered. Even with efforts in place to protect them it is a battle that can’t be won overnight. The destruction of their habitat so that humans can plant food and do mining work continues to be a problem. Issues with forestry destruction are also a huge factor.

In addition to using these areas as a source of food, the Chimpanzee also needs areas to nest during the day when they rest. They won’t use that nest twice so they need to make another one as the sun is going down. When their habitat is taken away it is increasing difficult for them to be able to do so in their home range.

When that home range gets smaller the level of aggression increases for the Chimpanzees. They need their space to be able to move around. Hopefully the various conservation efforts in place will be part of allowing them to continue doing so before it is too late.