Learn About Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are classified as Pan troglodytes. They are a member of the order Primates, the suborder Anthropoidea, and the infraorder Catarrhini. Chimpanzees are closer genetically to humans than they are to gorillas (Sibley & Ahlquist, 1984). There are at least three regional subspecies of chimpanzee: Pan troglodytes verus (western Africa), Pan troglodytes troglodytes (central Africa), and Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii (eastern Africa).

Chimpanzees have the same bones and muscles as humans with differences only in form, such as longer arms than legs, and differences in the structure of vertebral column, pelvis, leg bones, and foot as compared to humans. Adapted for quadrupedal movement and movement through the trees, chimpanzees have robust bodies and powerful arms. Because of their dense bones and muscle tissue, the upper body strength of a mature chimpanzee is 8-10 times that than that of humans.

Chimpanzees have opposable thumbs and toes that allow for grasping, climbing, and object manipulation. Chimpanzees are very dexterous and are able to manipulate small objects with their fingers and lips.

The lifespan of free-living chimpanzees can be up to 53 years and in captivity they can live up to age 60, however, evidence from long-term studies indicate that living into their forties is more common. Chimpanzees are not weaned until about five years of age. Until this time, they are almost completely dependent upon their mothers. Infant chimpanzees have pale skin, which darkens with age, and a white tail tuft, which they may lose at approximately four to five years of age.

Males between the ages of eight and twelve years continue to increase their independence and spend more time with adult males. Females between eight and ten years old continue to remain close to the mother. Females mature at about age eleven, although they remain sterile until age thirteen or fourteen. Close ties with the mother continue through adolescence. Females will have about three offspring during adulthood at a rate of about one every five years.

The habitat of free-living chimpanzees shows their flexibility in adaptation to many different environments. Free-living chimpanzees range in a series of discontinuous populations along the equatorial belt of Africa: from the dry savannas of far west Africa, through the rain forests in central Africa, to the Montane forests and dry woodland-savanna mosaics of east Africa. Their habitat ranges from Guinea to Ghana through Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo Republic, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Tanzania. Free-living chimpanzees range long distances both on the ground and while traveling arboreally. The chimpanzees at Gombe Stream Reserve, Tanzania have been observed traveling from 1-10 km each day in search of food.

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