Chimpanzee

The chimpanzee is one of humans' closest living relatives, sharing about 98 to 99 percent of its DNA with us. It lives in the tropical forests and wooded savannas of central and western Africa, where it spends time both in the trees and on the ground. Its diet is varied and includes fruit, leaves, seeds, flowers, insects and, occasionally, small mammals.

Chimpanzees are especially well known for their intelligence. They can solve problems, recognize themselves in a mirror and learn by watching one another. In several regions, they use simple tools, such as sticks to catch termites or ants and stones to crack open hard nuts. These skills are passed from one generation to the next, creating behaviors that differ between groups.

Chimpanzees live in large social communities whose members constantly form and leave smaller groups during the day. They communicate with facial expressions, gestures, body posture and many different calls, including loud pant-hoots that can be heard over long distances. Mothers care for their young for many years, giving them time to learn how to find food, use tools and interact with other chimpanzees.

Although they remain widespread in some forests, their numbers have declined because of habitat destruction, hunting and infectious diseases. Protecting forests and limiting illegal wildlife trade are essential for ensuring the future of this remarkable great ape.