Chimpanzees are more like humans than you might think! They laugh together when they’re playing and use hugs to show affection. Grooming is another way chimps bond — they use their hands to clean dirt, insects, and dead skin from each other’s fur. It’s not just about being clean; grooming helps them stay friends and settle arguments!
Chimps live in groups called communities. These groups are like little towns, with one leader, known as the alpha male, who’s the boss. Chimps have a strict ranking system, and each chimp knows their place in the group. Living in groups helps chimps stay safe from predators and share food.
Chimps love to explore, climb, and eat during the day. At night, they build cozy nests high up in the trees from leaves and branches to stay safe from predators. Each night, they make a new nest — imagine making your bed from scratch every evening!
Chimps are tool experts. They use sticks to fish ants and termites out of their nests, rocks to crack nuts, and even large leaves as umbrellas when it rains. They’re one of the few animals smart enough to use tools to get what they need!
Chimpanzees are built for life in the trees. They have long arms to swing from branch to branch, a skill called brachiation. Unlike monkeys, chimps don’t have tails, but their strong hands and feet make them amazing climbers. They also use their intelligence to navigate their forest homes.
Baby chimps, called infants, are adorable! A baby clings to its mum’s tummy for the first few months, then rides on her back until it’s about two years old. Chimps only have one baby every 5–6 years, so moms spend a lot of time teaching their little ones how to climb, build nests, and find food.
Chimps are mostly plant eaters, but they’re not picky! They eat fruits, leaves, seeds, and flowers, but they also enjoy insects, eggs, and even honey. Sometimes, chimps hunt small animals like monkeys. By eating so many plants, they also help spread seeds in their poop, which keeps the forest healthy.
Chimpanzees are endangered because their homes are being destroyed. People cut down forests to make space for farms and roads, leaving chimps with nowhere to live. Poaching and the illegal pet trade are also big threats. Chimps need our help to stay safe in the wild.
Enjoying learning about chimps? We have more chimp facts for you here.
DSWF works with places like the Chimpanzee Conservation Centre in Guinea to rescue baby chimps who have lost their families. They take care of these chimps, help them get strong and healthy again, and teach them how to live in the wild.
DSWF also teaches people how important it is to protect chimps and their homes, and they work hard to stop hunting and cutting down the forests where chimps live. When you support DSWF, you’re helping to keep chimps safe and their forests full of life!
You can also help by telling your friends about chimps and doing little things, like recycling and saving energy, to protect the planet. Together, we can make a big difference for chimps and other amazing animals!
Be a hero for chimpanzees! By adopting a chimp, you can help protect these amazing animals and their forest homes. Adopt a chimp, from as little as £3 today, and contribute to their conservation! Your support will help DSWF continue their work to protect chimps. Visit our Adopt a Chimp page to learn how you can make a difference!
