Animal Profiles
Mammals

Chimpanzee

Pan troglodytes

Living

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

The chimpanzee is an African great ape that feeds mainly on fruit and other plant foods. It also eats insects and occasionally other animals.

Pan troglodytes

Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Forests and wooded mosaics in western and central tropical Africa.
Habitat
Rainforest, Temperate forest, Savanna
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Fruit, leaves, seeds and other plant foods, supplemented by insects and some vertebrates.

Classification

Common name
Chimpanzee
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Pan troglodytes
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

Length
63.5 to 92.5 cm head-and-body length
Weight
26 to 70 kg

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

  • Communities can divide into smaller parties.
  • Fruit is a major food source.
  • Some populations use tools while foraging.

Habitat and range

Forests and wooded mosaics in western and central tropical Africa.

Appearance and adaptations

Long arms assist movement through trees and knuckle-walking on the ground. Hands with grasping digits manipulate food and objects.

Diet and behaviour

Communities split into smaller temporary parties. Chimpanzees communicate through gestures, sounds and facial expressions, and some populations use tools to obtain food.

Sources

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