Chimpanzees are not just animals in the wild; they are sentient beings with rich emotional lives, deep social bonds, and astonishing intelligence. As our closest living relatives, they remind us of who we are and, perhaps, who we once were. In a world where their existence is increasingly threatened, learning about them should be more than a curiosity but an act of recognition and a commitment to wildlife conservation. These 10 fascinating chimpanzee facts offer a glimpse into the lives of chimps, not just as subjects of study but as individuals who feel, think, and deserve protection.
- CHIMPANZEES ARE OMNIVOROUS FRUGIVORES
Chimpanzees' diet consists mostly of fruit, seeds, nuts, and leaves. However, they supplement their diets with birds, eggs and occasionally small animals, including monkeys. In the wild, chimpanzee eating habits differ greatly between communities, with some individuals having only 2% of their diet made up of meat and others having been observed eating up to 13% meat. Interestingly, it's mostly the males that go out as a group and hunt for other mammals; they will then share their catch with others.
- HUMANS DID NOT EVOLVE FROM CHIMPS
While chimpanzees are one of our closest living relatives and share approximately 98% of our DNA, we did not evolve from chimps. Instead, humans and chimps shared a common ancestor up to 6-7 million years ago, and we both evolved gradually into the species we are today.
- CHIMPANZEES SHOW EMPATHY & GRIEF
While chimpanzees are known to have an aggressive nature and display inter-group warfare, they are emotionally complex. They've been observed comforting distressed companions through gestures like hugging, grooming, or gently touching. If a chimp is injured, scared, or has lost a close group member, others may approach to offer reassurance. They also show behaviours that suggest they mourn and grieve loss. This empathetic behaviour indicates that compassion and social bonding are deeply rooted in our shared evolutionary past.
- CHIMPANZEES HAVE THEIR OWN CULTURES
Just like humans, different chimpanzee groups have unique traditions and behaviours that are passed down through generations. These cultural differences can include varying food preparation methods, grooming habits, and communication styles, including unique gestures. This demonstrates that learning and social interactions play a significant role in their lives as it does for humans.
- CHIMPANZEES USE TOOLS LIKE HUMANS
Other than humans, chimps show the most diverse amount of tool use of any other animal on earth. In the wild, they have been observed using mostly sticks to fish for insects and honey, stones to break nuts, and some communities have even been found making spear-like devices to lure out and even hunt for other mammals. Jane Goodall's discovery of chimpanzees using 'tools' back in October of 1960 was groundbreaking, as before this, the ability to make and use tools was considered uniquely human.
- WILD CHIMPS SELF-MEDICATE & USE FOREST FIRST AID
One of the most fascinating discoveries in recent primate research is that wild chimpanzees practice self-medication. Chimps have been observed chewing bitter leaves with no nutritional value, which were later found to have antiparasitic properties. In some cases, they've even applied chewed plants directly to wounds, suggesting a primitive form of forest first aid. This behaviour, known as zoopharmacognosy, shows that chimpanzees not only recognise when they're unwell but also know which natural remedies to use.
- CHIMPANZEES BUILD A NEW NEST EVERY NIGHT
Chimpanzees, like orangutans, build a new nest every night high in the trees using branches and leaves. These carefully woven nests provide safety, comfort, and protection from predators. Scientists believe this behaviour reduces parasites, regulates body temperature, improves sleep, and may even offer insights into the evolution of human sleep habits.
- CHIMPS CAN PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
Chimpanzees have shown a remarkable ability to plan ahead, another trait once thought to be solely human. In both wild and captive settings, they’ve been seen saving tools, like sticks or rocks, for use hours or even days later. Some chimps hide tools for specific situations, such as breaking into food containers or attempting escape enclosures. One famous example is Santino, a chimp at a Swedish zoo who stockpiled stones to later throw at visitors, clear evidence of premeditated behaviour.
- THE OLDEST CHIMPANZEE ALIVE TODAY IS 82
Chimpanzees have relatively long lifespans for primates. In the wild, chimpanzees typically live to be 33 to 38 years old, though some reach their 40s with good health and habitat conditions. In captivity, with access to veterinary care and steady food sources, chimpanzees can live well into their 50s and 60s. Currently, Joao (pictured above), who lives at Chimp Eden - The Jane Goodall Institute, is the oldest living chimpanzee to be recorded; he is still going strong at the age of 82 years old!
- CHIMPANZEES ARE ENDANGERED
Chimpanzees are officially classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, with wild populations having declined by over 50% in the last century. There are approximately 170,000-300,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. Their biggest threats are habitat destruction, illegal hunting, wildlife trafficking, and disease transmission from humans. Conservation efforts are crucial, as without urgent action, chimpanzees could disappear from much of their natural range within our lifetime.
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Chimpanzees continue to astound us, not just with their intelligence but with their emotion, culture, and connection to one another. Each fact we uncover deepens our understanding of them and what they need from us. Fascination alone isn't enough. As their forests disappear and their numbers dwindle, the responsibility to protect them grows more urgent. By learning about chimpanzees, we take a small but meaningful step toward ensuring they have a future, one where their stories continue, not just in blogs and documentaries, but in the wild, where they truly belong.
