Phylum
Chordata
Family
Hominidae
Class
Mammalia
Genus
Pan
Order
Primates
Conservation Status
Endangered
Size
0.9-1.2 m tall, 26-70 kg
Coloration
Black fur, lighter face; hair thins with age
Adaptations
Tool use; strong arms for climbing
Habitat
Tropical forests, woodlands
Diet
Omnivorous
Fruit, leaves, insects, small mammals
Geographic Range
West and Central Africa
Reproduction
Gestation 8 months, 1 infant; stays with mother 5-7 years
Threats
Habitat loss, poaching, disease
Interesting Facts
Tool Innovators: Chimps craft tools like sticks to extract termites or rocks to crack nuts, passing techniques through generations, a hallmark of cultural learning akin to human societies. This ingenuity varies by region, with some groups even using "spears" to hunt bushbabies.
Warlike Behavior: They engage in organized raids against rival groups, sometimes killing to expand territory, a chilling parallel to human warfare. These conflicts, observed in places like Gombe, reveal a darker side to their complex social lives.
Best Places to Sight
Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania
Kibale National Park, Uganda
Tai National Park, Côte d'Ivoire