COMMON CHIMPANZEE Meaning and
Definition
-
The common chimpanzee, or Pan troglodytes, is a primate species belonging to the Hominidae family. It is one of the two extant species of chimpanzees, the other being the bonobo. Common chimpanzees are native to the forests of Central and West Africa and are considered the closest living relatives to humans, sharing approximately 98.7% of their DNA with humans.
Common chimpanzees are distinguished by their robust and muscular build, with males typically being larger and heavier than females. They have a flexible toe-thumb that enables them to grasp objects and climb trees proficiently. These primates are covered in dark or light brown hair, which becomes grayer as they age.
Known for their remarkable intelligence, common chimpanzees exhibit a wide range of complex behaviors. They live in social groups, led by an alpha male, and are highly social animals. They are capable of using tools, engaging in cooperative hunting, and have even displayed problem-solving skills. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, leaves, flowers, and seeds, but they have also been observed hunting and consuming meat, including small mammals and other primates.
Common chimpanzees communicate through a combination of vocalizations, facial expressions, and body gestures. They have a sophisticated system of communication and are known to exhibit empathy, altruism, and even rituals within their social groups.
Due to habitat loss, poaching, and disease, the common chimpanzee population is decreasing. They are listed as an endangered species and are protected by various international conventions and national laws.
Etymology of COMMON CHIMPANZEE
The word "common chimpanzee" has its etymology rooted in the English language.
The term "chimpanzee" comes from the words "chimp" and "zee". "Chimp" is a shortened form of "chimpanzee", while "zee" is a variant of "zoo". The "zee" suffix in "chimpanzee" was likely added to make it rhyme with "zee", referring to a zoo. Hence, the word "chimpanzee" is believed to have been coined in the late 18th century as a playful, rhyming term for the animal.
The term "common" is used to differentiate the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), the species most commonly referred to as a chimpanzee, from the closely related bonobo (Pan paniscus) species.
