Chimpanzee (Pan) is a great ape, a genus of primates. Translated from one of the languages of African tribes, it means “like a man.” The similarity with people is limited not only by external characteristics, behavioral features, but also by genes: our DNA coincides by 90%. Scientists have proven that the evolutionary paths between the two species diverged only 6 million years ago.
Description
There are two species and three subspecies of chimpanzees:
1. ordinary:
- black-faced (with freckles);
- western (with a black mask with a bow);
- Schweinfurtovsky (with a flesh-colored face);
2. dwarf or bonobos.
The growth of the common chimpanzee is on average only 1.5 m in males and 1.3 m in females, but at the same time they are very strong, their muscles are well developed. The skin is pink, and the coat is rough and dark, almost brown.
Dwarf – not much shorter than its ordinary brother, but due to less traced muscles and visual puny, it seems small and skinny. His face is dark-skinned, and his lips are large and wide. The head is covered with long black hair that descends from the crown to the cheeks in a kind of sideburns.
Both species have a skull with pronounced brow ridges, a snub nose with protruding nostrils, and a sharp jaw full of sharpened teeth. Although their skulls are impressive, the brain in it occupies only a fraction of the total volume. The thumbs, like in humans, are set aside – this allows the animal to climb trees and use primitive tools to get food.
The entire body of primates is covered with dark hairs, only part of the muzzle, palms and feet remain hairless. Babies and adolescents also have a small bald spot on their back in the coccyx area. According to it, adults determine the approximate age of relatives, and if the receding hairline is not overgrown, they classify their brother as cubs and, accordingly, treat him with greater tenderness and care.
As well as people, these monkeys have blood groups, the plasma of some of their species can be transfused into humans. Also, chimpanzees can be distinguished from each other by the patterns on the tufts of the fingers: individual prints are always different.
Habitat
Primates are inhabitants of Central and West Africa. The main condition is the presence of tropical forests with sufficient vegetation and an appropriate climate. The common chimpanzee is now found in Cameroon, Guinea, Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania. The dwarf habitat is forests between the Congo and Lualab rivers.
All the time they spend in the crowns of trees, deftly jumping from branch to branch, they go down to the ground extremely rarely, most often to a watering hole. On the branches they build their nests – wide perches of twigs and leaves.
Lifestyle
Just like humans, chimpanzees need company to live comfortably and safely. Therefore, they always live in groups, which in common primates are headed exclusively by males, and in bonobos only by females. The group most often consists of 25-30 individuals.
The male leader is always the strongest and smartest representative of the community, in order to keep power in his paws, he chooses a certain circle of friends – the same strong, but more stupid fellows that are ready to protect his valuable life of his own. The rest of the stronger sex, who may pose a threat to his reign, is driven away by the leader to a safe distance and kept in constant fear, after his death or illness, the post of senior is occupied by an equal competitor.
Females also have their own hierarchy. More aggressive and physically developed ladies dominate the weak, control them and do not let them close to the opposite sex, they always get more food and mating partners. Ladies chimpanzees are considered more intelligent and quick-witted, they are easier to train, they can show elementary feelings towards other people’s cubs and weak relatives.
Reproduction
Chimpanzees can mate and reproduce at any time of the year; certain conditions, other than desire, are not required for this. Pregnancy lasts up to 7.5 months. Most often, only one cub is born, in rare cases there may be multiple births.
Immediately after birth, babies are weak and helpless, therefore they require constant maternal care and guardianship. Until they get to their feet, mothers carry them on themselves. Young animals reach sexual maturity only by the age of 10, before that they are firmly attached to their parents, even if they have younger offspring.
Nutrition
Chimpanzees are considered omnivorous primates. Their diet includes both food of plant and animal origin. They need to eat often and in large quantities, since they lead a very mobile lifestyle and spend a lot of energy for this. It is also important for them to constantly maintain a certain supply of subcutaneous fat, it helps them to survive during periods of autumn rains or droughts.
Chimpanzee eats apples
Basically, these monkeys feed on fruits and berries, roots and leaves of trees. Since chimpanzees are not afraid of water and are excellent swimmers, in reservoirs they deftly catch molluscs and small river animals. Do not mind eating small animals and insects.
There are cases when, in the absence of other food, these primates ate their own kind, and even fellow tribesmen.
Interesting Facts
- Chimpanzees use plant leaves as umbrellas in rains, fan-shaped in extreme heat, and even as toilet paper.
- Bonobos in the inside of their group never resolve disputes by force, for this they have another effective method – mating.
- Chimpanzees know how to smile and make faces, they are prone to mood swings, can be sad, aggressive or fooling around.
