Facts about Chimpanzees : Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) feature among the 4 types of Great Apes. The 4 Great Apes in Africa include gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans. Chimpanzees like other great apes are among a few most interesting wildlife species worth interacting with while on an African safari.
In East Africa, chimpanzees exist in Uganda about 5050 in number, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and others. The popular places to see chimpanzees in the wild in East Africa include Kibale forest national park, Kalinzu Forest Reserve, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Semuliki National Reserve, all these are in Uganda. Nyungwe Forest National Park & Gishwati-Mukura National Park in Rwanda; in Tanzania, visit Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe National Park for chimpanzee experiences.
Chimpanzees only thrive in Africa distributed in the different parts of East, Central and West Africa. They survive in diverse habitats such as the tropical rainforest and montane forest at elevation ranging up to 3000 meters. They also inhabit the less densely vegetated forest savannas, swamp forests and dry savannas, Facts about Chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees together with bonobos are the closest living relatives to humans having over 98.7% of their DNA similar to that of human beings. They are closest to humans compared to gorillas and amazingly, they are between the only 2 species in the genus pan besides the bonobo/Pan paniscus. Chimpanzees are listed among the endangered species in the wild and in Africa; they exist in not more than 21 countries.
Compared to some other mammals, chimpanzees are highly social and they live in communities with an adult Alpha male as leader of each community. In a chimpanzee community, females and males have individual personalities. The female chimps are believed to be more trusting and timid. In chimpanzee community, grooming is a significant part of the chimpanzee social life-it is a perfect moment when they bond with each other. Up to 150 chimpanzees can be in one chimp community with hierarchies strictly observed, Facts about Chimpanzees.
Unlike other creatures excluding humans, chimpanzees use more tools to perform variety of activities making them a few most intelligent creatures in animal kingdom. Chimpanzees can shape and use sticks to retrieve insects from their nests or dig rubs out of logs. Stones can be used to smash or open nuts and leaves for soaking up water for drinking. Chimpanzees can be taught to use basic human sign languages.
Chimpanzees have 30 distinct vocalizations with pant-hooting being the commonest. They also use long-distance call for social purposes for example to keep in touch with the rest of the members in the community.
When angry, chimpanzees display different signs; they scream, stamp their feet, their hair stands on the end to make them appear seemingly bigger, they tear/break vegetation / tree branches etc. Fights for dominance in the community is common among chimpanzees, they can be aggressive and males can execute attacks on other chimpanzees even to the extent of injuring or causing fatalities.
Chimpanzees feed largely on leaves, fruits, nuts, seeds, blossoms and some cases insects. Compared to gorillas or orangutans, chimpanzees have variety of tastes and they are capable of thriving in varied habitats. However, they have also been documented hunting other primate species.
Chimpanzees are 4 times stronger than humans. When running, chimps can take off at a speed of about 40kph. Their arms are uniquely created to allow them swing through the trees and they are known for their fast-twitch muscle fibers which offers them exceptional strength, Facts about Chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees locomote by knuckle-walking. They can climb and swing on trees, and they can walk upright using their 2 feet.
Female chimpanzees get to reproductive maturity at 13 years and they produce a single baby at any time of the year and on rare occasion to twins. The oestrous cycles does vary among females depending on the season.
They take about 8-9 months gestation period just like humans. Male chimps reach maturity at 15 years.
Chimpanzees can live up to 50 years while in the wild and those in captivity can survive for more than 60 years.
