Chimpanzee
From Palaeos.org
The Chimpanzee is the closest living relative to Homo sapiens. There are two types of Chimpanzee, the Common Chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes, and the Bonobo, Pan paniscus. They form the subtribe Panina. Both types of chimpanzee are equally closely related to humans as the two types of chimpanzee diverged after the ancestors of humans diverged from them. It is believed that the two chimpanzees diverged 1.5-2 million years ago when the River Congo formed and separated them. Both types of chimpanzee show evidence of intelligent, culturally determined behaviour and use of tools. Both have been taught to communcate using sign language and can use syntax. One bonobo aparently understood the question, "Can you make the dog bite the snale?" [1] Chimpanzees have been using stone tools for at least 4300 years. Some even use spears sharpened with their teeth. Chimpanzees experience mourning but so do domestic dogs.
Anatomically the two types of chimpanzee are similar but their behaviour is different. Bonobos are smaller but have relatively longer arms. They stand upright more readily. Common Chimpanzees are very much more agressive than Bonobos. They eat meat as well as plant material, they hunt for prey. Bonobos are highly sexual. Non reproductive sex is used to defuse agression. Rank ordeer differences are less extreme in bonobos. Females rank higher and tend to dominate. Bonobos eat mainly plant material and mainly fruit.
Chimpanzees, gorillas, humans, and orangutans belong to the Hominidae family. Wild chimpanzees rarely live beyond 40 years but captive chimpanzees can reach 60.
