Bonobo

Bonobos (Pan paniscus), often referred to as pygmy chimpanzees, are one of the two species in the Pan genus, the other being the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Bonobos are closely related to chimpanzees and share about 98% of their genetic material with them. 

Bonobos are smaller and more gracile (slender) in build compared to common chimpanzees. They have a slender body, long limbs, and a relatively smaller head. They are covered in dark hair and have a black face, with pink lips and strikingly human-like eyes.

Bonobos are found only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in the lowland rainforests along the south bank of the Congo River. They prefer old-growth forests, with trees that bear fruit at different times throughout the year. They can also be found in secondary forests, seasonally flooded swamp forests, and forest savanna woodlands.

Bonobos are known for their highly egalitarian and peaceful social structure compared to common chimpanzees. They live in groups led by a female hierarchy, and female bonobos often hold the highest rank in these groups. This matriarchal social structure is in contrast to the more male-dominated hierarchies seen in common chimpanzee communities.

Over decades of study, humans have seen 152 chimpanzee murders. There have been no confirmed bonobo murders over that same period.

Bonobos use a variety of vocalizations, facial expressions, and body language to communicate with each other. They are also known for their sexual behaviors, which serve various social functions, including conflict resolution.

Bonobo females mate with many males so that when a baby is born, the males won't know who the father is and and, therefore, won't attack it.

Bonobos are omnivores, and their diet consists of a wide range of fruits, leaves, stems, insects, and occasionally small mammals. They are also known to use tools, such as sticks, to obtain food.

Bonobos are important to the ecosystem. They help to disperse seeds and pollinate plants.

Like their close relatives, bonobos are highly intelligent. They have been observed using tools, problem-solving, and displaying advanced cognitive abilities. They are often used in studies of animal cognition and behavior.

According to a study, bonobo brains are more developed in regions associated with empathy than chimpanzee brains are.

Bonobos are the closest living relatives to humans. They share about 98.7% of our DNA.

Bonobos are an endangered species, primarily due to habitat loss caused by deforestation and human activities. They are also vulnerable to hunting and the illegal pet trade. Conservation efforts are in place to protect their populations and their habitat. Only about 10,000 to 50,000 bonobos are left in the wild.