Chimpanzee

great ape · Africa · super smart · our cousins

Our closest cousins. DNA shows that chimpanzees and bonobos are humans' closest living relatives on Earth. We share more of our genes with them than with any other animal.

Forest home. Chimpanzees live in the forests and savannas of equatorial Africa, where they swing through the trees and walk on the ground searching for food.

Family groups. Chimpanzees live in communities with complex social lives, caring for their babies for many years and forming strong bonds with family members.

Incredibly clever. Chimpanzees use tools like sticks to fish for termites, solve tricky problems, and teach their skills to younger chimps.

Five kinds exist. Scientists have identified four confirmed subspecies of chimpanzees and possibly a fifth, each living in different parts of Africa with slightly different traits.