Chimpanzees By Katie Hadro

Structural Adaptations One structural adaptation of the chimpanzee is its opposable thumbs and toes. This is an important adaptation it helps them climb to reach fruit and they are able to stand on two legs to look tough to an opposing male. A second structural adaptation is their flexible shoulder and hip joints. This allows the chimp to move easily through the trees to escape predators and attack intruders.

Structural Adaptations A third structural adaptation is their sharp teeth. This is an important adaptation because it helps the chimp scare away predators and tear the meat of their prey. A fourth structural adaptation of the chimpanzee is their powerful hearing. It helps them hear if a predator is near and they can escape or if its prey, they can get ready to catch it. A fifth structural adaptation is their keen vision. They are able to see hidden fruit and meat among the vegetation.

Behavioral Adaptations One behavioral adaptation of the chimpanzee is how they “groom” each other. This is an important adaptation because it calms overexcited or worried chimps, creates friends, and makes them feel good. A second behavioral adaptation is knowing to growl or bare teeth when threatened. This is an important adaptation because it wards off predators and unwanted intruders.

Behavioral Adaptation A third behavioral adaptation is living in large groups. This is an important adaptation because they are better able to protect food, resources, territory, and young. A fourth behavioral adaptation is building nests in the trees. This is an important adaptation because they can avoid predators and sleep safely through the night.

Habitat The chimpanzee lives in the tropical rainforest. It lives in eastern, western, and central Africa. They are found in over 21 African nations. Their main habitat requirement is to have lots of trees so they can climb to reach fruit and escape predators by hiding in their nests.

Diet The chimpanzee is an omnivore and typically eats figs, nuts, seeds, and bark. It also eats insects, bird eggs, and honey. To get termites from their stump, it makes a “fishing rod” out of a stick and a long blade of grass. They use rocks to break shells of fruit. When water is scarce, they make a “sponge” from leaves to soak up water.

Food Chain Sun Chimpanzee Leopard Fig Tree

Fun Fact Chimps live in groups, or communities of 15 to 80 individuals. Chimps have many of the same emotions as humans. They can feel happy, sad, angry, or scared. Baby chimps are born with pink skin that grows darker as they get older. Sometimes, they eat birds, wild pigs, antelope, and monkeys.

Resources Chimpanzees by Patricia Davis The Chimpanzee Family Book by Jane Goodall http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/chimpanzee/ http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/chimpanzee

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