Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives and belong to the ape family, along with orangutans, gorillas, bonobos, and humans. In fact, chimpanzees share 98.7% of their DNA with humans, and both have very similar characteristics. These animals stand out for their intelligence. Also, they are very social and live in complex groups. Unfortunately, these animals are in danger of extinction due to deforestation and the reduction of their natural habitat by the hand of man.
In terms of size, chimpanzees can stand between 1 and 1.7 meters tall when standing. However, they tend to walk on all fours with their knuckles and feet. Males are usually slightly larger than females.
Also, according to Animal Diversity Web , the website of the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan (United States), males weigh around 70 kilograms, while females reach 50 kilograms. In addition, when they are released their life expectancy is around 50 years.
Stronger than human beings
Did you know that chimpanzees are stronger than people? In fact, according to Live Science , they are 1.35 times stronger than humans. This is because they have more fast-twitch muscle fibers, which allow chimpanzees to jump with greater agility and ease.
Instead, humans evolved to have more slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are more useful for endurance and for taking long trips.
How do chimpanzees feed?
These apes feed primarily on fruits and leaves. However, their diet varies depending on where they live. In addition, they are omnivorous animals (just like humans) so they can also eat meat. Its diet includes small insects and mammals, according to the Jane Goodall Institute in the United Kingdom.
On the other hand, they are truly intelligent animals, as they use more tools than any other animal (except humans). Their use of the tools includes using rocks to open nuts or crushing leaves to use as sponges for cleaning, as collected by Animal Diversity Web .
Can they attack people?
Chimpanzees are usually afraid of humans and prefer to stay away. However, if they feel cornered or threatened, they may attack. This happens when humans enter chimpanzee habitats and destroy them, reducing their access to food (such as plants or trees).
