The Eastern Chimpanzee, scientifically known as Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, is a subspecies of the common chimpanzee, which is one of the two species belonging to the genus Pan along with the bonobo. Found predominantly in the eastern region of Central Africa, the Eastern Chimpanzee is primarily distributed in the countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Characterized by its robust body structure and brownish-black hair, the Eastern Chimpanzee exhibits several distinctive physical features. It possesses a prominent brow ridge, large ears, and a protrusive snout. The average height of an adult Eastern Chimpanzee can range between 3 to 5 feet, and it typically weighs between 70 to 130 pounds. This subspecies displays sexual dimorphism, with males being significantly larger than females.
Eastern Chimpanzees predominantly inhabit various forest types, including tropical rainforests, moist savannahs, and woodlands. They are highly adaptable and flexible in their feeding habits, being primarily omnivorous. Their diet mainly consists of fruits, leaves, seeds, flowers, bark, insects, and small mammals.
Eastern Chimpanzees are highly social animals, living in large communities known as troops, which can range from 20 to over 100 individuals. They have a complex social structure, with dominant males and a hierarchical organization. Communication among troop members primarily occurs through vocalizations, facial expressions, gestures, and body postures.
Unfortunately, the Eastern Chimpanzee, like other chimpanzee subspecies, faces threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and diseases. They are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to the declining population trend
