Chimpanzee Social Structure Fission-Fusion Society – Large groups of many individuals and small, often temporary subgroups – social group composition and size change with different activities and situations – adult males leave the group to wander alone or join other males in a hunting party, but rarely leave the group completely – females often switch between different groups

Chimpanzee Social Structure Often have relatives in other groups When different groups come together it is often a friendly encounter vs. an aggressive one There is a major sense of autonomy of individuals

Power Structure Males are the big power holders and are dominant over females They engaged in political activities involving scheming and physical intimidation in order to move up in power They develop short-term alliances with other males by mutual support, sharing food, and grooming each other They also use their intelligence to gain power in the group – They often use teamwork to frighten and impress other males and it is usually more effective than any one individual's muscles in achieving goals

Power Structure Males are in charge of protecting the group and finding food There are alpha males who often have a coalition of lesser males with them to intimidate other males Females do not have a solid hierarchal structure but there are “better” females than others Females often form nursery groups when they have young children

Reproduction & Baby Chimpanzees Chimpanzees are fully grown and able to reproduce at years old. Female chimpanzees are pregnant for about months and usually have a single baby at a time; twins are rare. Female chimpanzees carefully nurture their young. Babies can grasp their mother's fur to ride on the mother's back at about 6 months. After they are weaned, chimpanzees begin to build their own sleeping nests out of vegetation and not use their mother's nest anymore. Young chimpanzees stay with their mother for about 7 years.

Parental Care Majority is the responsibility of the mothers – Critical to the survival and emotional health of youngsters Youngsters benefit from the close relationship with their mothers in terms of food, warmth, protection, and the opportunity to learn skills Social bond that the young have with their mother is remarkable – Even after they are adults they will continue to have affection and caring for her. – As the mother gets older the child will be at her side and do all they can to care for her.

Social Life Play is part of chimpanzees learning – It influences their overall place in their social structure Capable of emotions that humans experience – They show great remorse when one of their own is injured or killed – Often shown expressing various types of affection towards each other. They are very social animals and thrive on their interactions with each other. They are able to differentiate between each other visually as well as by scent

Interesting Facts Sharing more than 98 % of our genetic blueprint Blood types A and O 32 teeth Body temperature, 98.6ºF Cannot swim Opposable thumbs and opposable toes 230 days gestational period

Interesting Facts Continued Have emotions similar to those we call joy, anger, grief, sorrow, pleasure, boredom, and depression. They also comfort and reassure one another by kissing and embracing Use tools, such as using sticks and stones.

Interesting Facts Continued Chimpanzees in the wild have different cultures. Today, chimpanzees are an endangered species, with as few as 150,000 left in the wild. Use facial expressions to convey emotions.

Cognitive Differences between Humans and Chimps Chimpanzee vs. Human child learning ults_video&playnext=1&list=PL53BC33624A8064FA ults_video&playnext=1&list=PL53BC33624A8064FA What skills are distinctly human? BFa&list=PL1FE7ED4E E&lf=results_video BFa&list=PL1FE7ED4E E&lf=results_video Chimps outperform humans at memory task. sults_video&playnext=1&list=PL1FE7ED4E E sults_video&playnext=1&list=PL1FE7ED4E E

Works Cited Shefferly, Nancy. "ADW: Pan Troglodytes: Information." Animal Diversity Web. Web. 08 Feb "Physical Characteristics | About Chimpanzees | Chimpanzees." The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. Web. 08 Feb "Chimpanzee Facts." Out to Africa Op Safari Door Afrika. Web. 08 Feb "Biological Overview of Chimpanzees." Michigan State University College of Law. Web. 08 Feb