Facts About Chimps

The chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) is a medium-sized, blackish-brown mammal weighing around 70 to 120 lbs. and measuring about three feet from head to rump. Their natural habitat is found in the central and western portions of Africa, where chimps commune in small groups.

Features

Chimpanzees typically knuckle-walk, but can ambulate on two feet. Another way of moving is swinging from tree branches.

Considerations

Often mistaken as vegetarians, chimpanzees eat a wide variety of foods, including meat, eggs, fruits, plants and insects.

Tools

Chimpanzees use sticks to pry and dig insects and worms from their homes, smash nuts with stones and scoop water with leaves. This is significant, as very few animals use tools.

Features

Male chimpanzees mature at age 16, while females mature at age 13. Newborns live on their mother's body until age two, grasping fur and riding on her back and chest.

Warning

Chimpanzees are an endangered species, living at the mercy of hunters while slowly losing their natural habitats.

Fun Fact

Though closely related to humans, chimps typically cannot swim and avoid getting in water.

References

• National Geographic: Chimpanzees
• San Diego Zoo: Chimpanzees

Resources

• Chimpanzee Facts