Animal Profiles
Mammals

Bonobo

Pan paniscus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The bonobo is a great ape of the Congo Basin. It eats mostly fruit and other plant foods, and lives in a changing network of social groups.

Pan paniscus (bonobo)

natataek · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Bonobos inhabit forests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, south of the Congo River. Rainforest, secondary woodland and swamp forest provide feeding and sleeping areas.
Habitat
Rainforest, Wetlands
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Fruit dominates the diet, supplemented by leaves, shoots, insects and occasional animal prey.

Classification

Common name
Bonobo
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Pan paniscus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Primates
Family
Hominidae
Genus
Pan
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Measurements

Size and speed

Weight
27 to 61 kg combined adult female and male range

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

  • It is a great ape.
  • Groups can divide and reunite while foraging.
  • It builds sleeping nests in trees.

Habitat and range

Bonobos inhabit forests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, south of the Congo River. Rainforest, secondary woodland and swamp forest provide feeding and sleeping areas.

Appearance and adaptations

Dark skin and hair, long limbs and a relatively slender build distinguish the bonobo from its close chimpanzee relatives.

Diet and behaviour

Fruit dominates the diet, supplemented by leaves, shoots, insects and occasional animal prey. Individuals travel in smaller feeding parties within a wider community. Food availability influences group size, while forest trees provide resting places.

Sources

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