![]() ![]() ![]() tree height), skilful “hero” chimpanzees, and competition with sympatric carnivorous animals. Other possible factors responsible for the local differences are forest structure (e.g. fruit abundance, swollen females, conflict between unit-groups etc.) strongly affect the actual hunting and kill rates. It is also suggested that factors which bring these males together into a party (e.g. It is suggested that the size or demographic trend of a chimpanzee unit-group, especially the number of adult males included, necessarily influences its hunting frequency as well as its prey profile. Nevertheless, it is still difficult to make strict comparisons due to the lack of sufficient standardized data across the three populations on the frequency of hunting and predation. Although various degrees of habituation and different sampling methods including artificial feeding might have obscured the real differences, recent data from the three populations do not seem to be biased greatly by such factors. Relative body size of chimpanzees to prey species and/or the degree of cooperation among members of a hunting party may explain the variability in prey size selected at each site, the latter influencing the frequency of successful hunts at the same time. The most responsible factor for diversity in prey selectivity is a distinct “prey image” maintained by chimpanzees of different populations, although it is necessary to clarify in future studies why and how such tradition develops. When data on predation from three long-term studies at Mahale, Gombe, and Tai are compared, some differences and similarities emerge Mahale is more like Gombe than Tai in regard of prey selection but features of hunting at Tai with respect to predation frequency are not conspicuous. The chimps are trained for several behaviors such as getting on a scale for weights, presenting multiple body parts for inspection and allowing a Doppler machine to track their heart rate.With respect to prey selectivity and predation frequency, chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes) show local differences as well as diachronic variability within the same population. The keepers use positive reinforcement techniques for training. Several enrichment items are given each day, as well as health check sessions. This keeps the chimps active and foraging much like they would in the wild. They feed the chimpanzees several times a day by scattering their diet all over the exhibits. The keepers work hard to make the chimps' lives as interesting and challenging as it is in the wild. Poaching for the illegal pet trade, disease, and habitat loss due to deforestation combine to cause this steep decline. At the turn of the 20th century, 2 million of them lived in Central and West African forests, but today only 100,000 to 200,000 remain in the wild. Chimpanzee conservationĬhimpanzees are among the most threatened primates in Africa. The median life expectancy of a wild chimpanzee is 31.7 years for males and 38.7 years for females. Female chimps may remain with their mothers permanently. They are weaned at 4 to 5 years of age and may remain with their mother 10 or more years. Newborn chimps weigh 2 to 4 pounds and are completely helpless. Females are smaller, at 66 to 176 pounds and 30 to 36 inches tall.įemale chimps give birth for the first time at 12 to 15 years of age, and give birth every 5 years or so. Meat is a favorite food, and groups cooperate to hunt small to medium-sized mammals.Īdult males are 90 to 200 pounds and 28 to 33 inches tall. They are active throughout the day and feed on fruit, nuts, seeds, blossoms and leaves, insects, birds, birds' eggs and honey. Long arms and fingers and mobile shoulder joints allow them to move easily both in the trees and on the ground. This is called fission-fusion.Ĭhimpanzees have opposable thumbs, allowing them to grasp objects. Groups come together or split apart depending on how much food is available in the area. A male hierarchy determines social standing, with one male at the top or "alpha" position. ![]() These troops are multi-male, multi-female, and multi-generational. Chimpanzees live in family groups that sometimes join much larger communities. ![]()
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