The bonobo is a large species of primate that is only found in the Democratic Republic Of The Congo in central Africa. The bonobo is also known as the pygmy chimpanzee and the dwarf chimpanzee as the bonobo is thought to be very closely related to the chimpanzee and the two animals share very similar features. The bonobo is smaller than the chimpanzee
with adult bonobos averaging around 70cm in height and weight about
40kg, The bonobo has black hair covering it's body that is parted on
it's head, pink lips and long legs. Generally, the body of the bonobo is
not as hairy as the body of their chimp cousins.
The bonobo is an omnivorous animal mainly feeding on vegetation such as fruits, leaves, flowers, bark and seeds. The bonobo also eats honey, eggs, insects and even small mammals and reptiles.
Today, the bonobo is thought to be an endangered animal
with only 10,000 bonobo individuals considered to be left in the wild. The
bonobo populations have lowered significantly due to hunting and habitat
loss.
Facts
Scientific Name : Pan Paniscus
Other names : pygmy chimpanzee, dwark chimpanzee
Biggest threat : hunting and habitat loss
Predators : crocodiles, human
Food : Fruit, Leaves, Seeds, Insects
Diet : omnivore
Life span : 30-40 yrs
Size: 73 cm- 90cm
Weight : 55 to 110 lbs (25 to 50 kg)
Range : Central Africa
Habitat : Lowland jungle and swamp forests