Description
Scientific name: Pan troglodytes
Life span: more than 50 years in captivity
The chimpanzees are highly social and intelligent animals and enjoy the company of their group members. The chimpanzee has a rough black coat of hair, but it’s palms, fingers, toes, soles, and face are all naked and hairless. They have long fingers and small thumbs. Fingers have flat nails. Their big toes are opposable and foot is designed to grab things. The chimpanzee has a round head and a prognathous face. The face consists of forward-facing eyes, non-lobed ears, and a moveable upper lip. The adult chimp has sharp canines that are helpful in eating food. It is bigger and more muscular as compared to a bonobo. It measures 120 to 150 cm in length and weighs up to 40 to 71 kg in the case of males and 27 to 51 kg in females. They prefer to live in groups and follow a male dominance hierarchy pattern. They can show both bipedal and quadruple walking. They eat leaves, fruits, seeds, birds, insects, eggs, berries, and sometimes carrion.
Native Region/Habitat
Chimpanzees are endemic to tropical Africa, especially the savannah, Tanzania, and Lake Albert. They mostly inhabit the thick forest, evergreen forest areas, dry woodland, montane forest, grassland, deciduous forests, swamp forests, and semi deciduous forests.
As Pet
Behavior/Temperament
Chimpanzees are extremely social creatures. They groom, play, sleep, and eat with their group members. Chimpanzee babies suckle for the first 1-5 years after birth. In captivity, chimpanzees make busy, robust, boisterous, and very hands-on pets. They need an intensive care routine. They make strong bonds with humans if you get them while they are young. When they become adults, they become more physically active and demanding in nature. This behavior makes it difficult for many chimp owners to maintain control over their pets. They still have wild impulses even after being kept in captivity, which makes them dangerous. Their aggressive behavior includes swinging their limbs and biting, and their moods can shift from friendly to hostile without any evident cause. Even those they are familiar with and appear to care for have been attacked by pet chimpanzees.
Care/Grooming
Chimpanzees need a highly durable enclosure because they are twice as powerful as humans. They shouldn’t be left all alone in your house. Chimpanzees should get routine veterinary care. Pet chimpanzees are susceptible to a variety of common diseases, including diabetes, dental problems, and heart disease. Lethargy or an inability to eat are common symptoms of many disorders, which frequently result from a poor diet. Consult your veterinarian as soon as possible if this happens. Their enclosure must also contain real and artificial trees, ropes, and hanging nets. These are the kinds of settings that provide caged chimpanzees with the exercise they require to remain healthy and happy.
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