The chimpanzee is of the order Primates and the family
Hominidae. There are two living species of chimpanzee: Common chimpanzee (Pan
troglodytes) and the Bonobo (Pan paniscus). Chimpanzees are native to Central
and western Africa as well as the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. They are kept in zoos
around the world and often kept as private pets.
Distinguishing features of the chimpanzee include the
ability to walk upright, use tools and a brain half the size of a human brain. They
have no fur on the face, hands or feet. As they age this skin darkens. Their
knuckles are strong enough to bear their weight when walking on their hands and
feet at the same time. An average male chimp can be over five feet tall and
weigh over 150 pounds. Females are usually smaller than their male
counterparts.
Common chimps are omnivores with a male dominant social
troop and the occasional physical fight. The Bonobo chimp is a frugivore with a
much more peaceful social group.
Chimpas show empathy and other emotions we exhibit as human
beings. They are highly intelligent understanding human speech and symbols and
being one of the few animals too make and use tools.
Chimpanzees are humanity's closest relatives being 99.3
percent (some estimates are as low as 94 percent) genetically similar to
humans.