Facts about Chimpanzees

Top Chimpanzee Facts

Chimpanzees are commonly referred to as chimps. That is a fact you likely already know. Yet there are many interesting things about them that you may not know about. If you love these animals you may appreciate finding out much more about them.

There are two species of Chimpanzees in the world – the Common Chimpanzee and the Bonobo. They all belong in the same category as humans, apes, and gorillas.

In 1973 it was successfully determined that Chimpanzees are 99% comparable to human DNA. Today we have more extensive DNA testing and it shows that percentage to be at 94%.

The average size for a full grown male Chimpanzee is 150 pounds and 5 to 6 feet in height. The females are slightly smaller so that there is a differentiation among the sexes in their environment.

Chimpanzees walk on their knuckles and they are able to move very quickly in this position. They are also able to walk in an upright position but at a slower speed than when moving on the knuckles.

The Chimpanzee is very intelligent and knows how to problem solve. They can use tools such as rocks to open food and leaves to drink from streams. It is believed they have been doing so for millions of years. The first recordings of it though occurred in 1960.

In Kenya remains of Chimpanzee fossils were found in 2005. They are millions of years old and give us some insight about the full range of these animals long ago.

They have a very strategic type of planning system when it comes to hunting. This is part of their ultimate ability to survive.

For the most part the Chimpanzees get along with each other. They realize their survival depends on their ability to cooperate within the troop. However, they can be manipulative and have the ability to deceive both each other and humans.

Males can be aggressive in nature though so humans need to be careful. Chimpanzees may be cute animals but they can also be dangerous.

For communication they use a variety of verbal and non verbal efforts. Chimpanzees are very social towards each other.

It is true that Chimpanzees are able to laugh. The name of this animal means mock man and was documented in 1738.

Since 2007 the Chimpanzee has been categorized as endangered. Major threats to them include mining, agriculture,  and forestry.

They have arms that are longer than their legs.

Chimpanzees have opposable thumbs and big toes.

The most common locations where the Chimpanzee lives include Zaire, Cameroon, and Gabon. They live in areas that are very diverse. Many of them live in thick forest regions. Others are able to thrive in the dry savanna areas.

There can be as many as 150 Chimpanzees living together.

They are ready to mate when they are about 10 years of age. A female will generally have a baby every five years.

They are very active during the day.

The main food sources for the Chimpanzee include fruit, leaves, and a variety of insects. They are meat eaters though and will consume other types of monkeys.

Chimpanzees are commonly illegally held as pets in the United States and Africa.

Many Chimpanzees are killed for a source of meat among villagers in Africa. It is referred to as bushmeat.

Both male and female Chimpanzees start to go bald on the top of the head as they get older.

Twins among Chimpanzees are more common than for humans.

The lifespan of a Chimpanzee can be from 40 to 60 years in the wild. They can live even longer in captivity with the right conditions.