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Species of the month

Chimpanzee

Pan troglodytes

Some facts on this ape:

Adult height: 70-90 cm.

Adult weight: 30-50 kg.

Range: Equatorial Africa.

Habitat: Tropical forests and woodlands.

Diet: Omnivorous; fruit comprises about half the diet; the rest includes leaves, bark, stems, insects and meat.

Life-span: 40 years (in wild), 60 years (in captivity).

Survivng number: Estimated at 150,000 to 240,000.

Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN 3.1).

First described: By the German physician, naturalist, physiologist, and anthropologist Johann Friedrich Blumenbach in 1775 as Simia troglodytes.

Pan troglodytes is our closest extant relative. It shares more than 98 percent of the human DNA. Chimpanzees are known to use tools: they poke grass stems or twigs into termite or ant nests and eat the insects that cling to them. They can also break nut shells with the help of stones. They also organize hunt raids periodically, to catch monkeys or small antelopes. These apes live in social communities (or troops) which include several dozen animals. Each troop is led by an Alpha Male and strict hierarchies are maintained within the community. Chimpanzees use vocalizations, hand gestures, and facial expressions to communicate with each other. The word "chimpanzee" comes from the Bantu words "Tshiluba Kivili-Chimpenze" which means "human-like creature".

(Archived from Template:Species of the week)