Quick answer
The chimpanzee is a great ape native to the forests and savannas of central and western Africa and one of humanity's closest living relatives, sharing around 98% of our DNA. Chimps are highly intelligent, use and make tools, and live in complex social groups. They typically live 40 to 50 years in the wild and are listed as Endangered.
Key takeaway
The chimpanzee is a great ape native to the forests and savannas of central and western Africa and one of humanity's closest living relatives, sharing around 98% of our DNA. Chimps are highly intelligent, use and make tools, and live in complex social groups. They typically live 40 to 50 years in the wild and are listed as Endangered.
Overview
The chimpanzee is a great ape native to the forests and savannas of central and western Africa and one of humanity's closest living relatives, sharing around 98% of our DNA. Chimps are highly intelligent, use and make tools, and live in complex social groups. They typically live 40 to 50 years in the wild and are listed as Endangered.
Biology
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) is classified as Mammal with conservation status Endangered. Typical weight 30–60 kg (66–130 lb); lifespan around 40–50 years in the wild.
Ecology
Diet: Omnivore. Habitat: Tropical forest and wooded savanna. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures.
People and this species
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild individuals are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Further reading
See the full Chimpanzee profile for FAQs, taxonomy, and related guides on this site.
Tool use and intelligence
Chimpanzees are among the most intelligent animals on Earth. They make and use tools, fishing for termites with stripped twigs, cracking nuts with stone hammers, and using chewed leaves as sponges. Different communities pass down their own tool traditions, a form of culture once thought to be uniquely human.
Diet and hunting
Chimpanzees are omnivores that eat mostly fruit, leaves, seeds, and insects, but they also hunt cooperatively, sometimes targeting monkeys. They are powerful for their size, with an upper-body strength well beyond that of a human, which they use for climbing and display.
Conservation
Chimpanzees are Endangered, with populations falling due to deforestation, the bushmeat trade, the illegal pet trade, and diseases that can pass between humans and apes. Protecting large areas of forest and reducing poaching are essential to their survival.
Research notes
Figures for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.
Practical takeaways
If you encounter chimpanzees in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Endangered) when discussing conservation.
Sources
FAQs
Chimpanzee: Key Facts & Natural History?
The chimpanzee is a great ape native to the forests and savannas of central and western Africa and one of humanity's closest living relatives, sharing around 98% of our DNA. Chimps are highly intelligent, use and make tools, and live in complex social groups. They typically live 40 to 50 years in the wild and are listed as Endangered.
What is the scientific name of the chimpanzee?
Pan troglodytes
What do chimpanzees eat?
Omnivore
Where do chimpanzees live?
Tropical forest and wooded savanna
Are chimpanzees endangered?
Listed here as Endangered. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.
Social life
Chimps live in communities of dozens of individuals with shifting alliances, hierarchies, and politics. They communicate through a rich range of calls, facial expressions, and gestures, and they groom one another to build and maintain bonds. Cooperation, sharing, and even reconciliation after fights are common.