![]() They are called “knuckle walkers” because they use their knuckles for support. Chimpanzees walk on all fours and have longer arms than legs. Like humans, chimps have opposable thumbs and opposable big toes which allow them to grip things with their feet. Chimpanzees in West Africa and those in captivity may be larger and males can weigh up to 80 kilograms. They are about 4 feet tall when standing upright. Biologically, chimpanzees are more closely related to humans than they are to gorillas.Īt Gombe National Park, site of Jane Goodall’s research, adult males weigh between 45 and 55 kilograms. Humans and chimpanzees share 95 to 98 percent of the same DNA. They live in equatorial rainforests and African savannas. Chimps can be found in about 21 African countries, mostly in central Africa. Orangutans, less closely related, still share up to 96,5 % of their DNA with humans. Chimpanzees and bonobos share up to 98,5 % of their DNA with humans, gorillas have up to 98 % of DNA in common with us. Females give birth to one offspring every few years but the youngsters remain with their mothers until the age of eight to thirteen.Ĭhimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas live in family groups, orangutans live alone and only come together for mating.Īll great apes are very close genetically to humans. Just like human babies, great ape newborns need the constant care of their mothers for long periods of time. Sometimes, as with humans, twins are born. Great apes all have a gestation of 8-9 months and mothers usually give birth to a single offspring. Most species are omnivorous, but fruits are their favorite food. They are very agile with their hands, which they use to find food, make their nests and even in some cases use tools. Great apes are largely quadrupedal but can also walk upright on short distances. The males are generally taller and stronger than the females. The smallest is the bonobo (average of 30-40 kilograms in weight) and the tallest is the gorilla (up to 140-180 kilograms). Great apes are tall and have no tail, they are characterized by a large brain. This family is composed of seven living species classified in four genera. Chimpanzees belong to the taxonomic family of great apes, also called Hominidae.
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