Bonobo
(Pan paniscus)
Bonobos were not officially identified as a species seperate from common chimpanzees until the 1920's. They are in fact much more than little chimpanzees. Humans and Bonobos share between 99 and 99.6% of their genetic makeup. Their lack of agressiveness and excitability (quite unlike chimpanzees) is thought to perhaps be more similar to the first humans. There is also growing evidence that bonobos may be as different from chimpanzees as chimps are to gorillas. One can only imagine to what extent this will be realized as more is learned about the lives of bonobos.
status: ENDANGERED
Distinguishing Characteristics
Black, a white patch on tail region for juvenilles as well as adults. Hair on head often parts
down the middle. While bonobos are not noticably smaller than P. troglodytes, as their
common name implies, they do have a more slender form with longer arms and legs and a narrow chest.
Physical Characteristics
Head/Body Length: 700-820mm (32.1in)
Weight: F - 31kg (68.3lb) M - 40kg (86lb)
Development
Infant: 4 years
Juvenile: 4-7 years
Subadult: 7-11 years
Gestation: 240 days (8 months)
Birthing Season:
Birth Interval: 5 years
Life Span: 40 years
Females continually have a sexual swelling. They, like humans and unlike any other non-human primate, do not have an estrus cycle.
Habitat
Primary and secondary tropical lowland rainforest south of the Zaire river.
Diet
Fruit, leaves, stems, shoots, honey.
Animal prey: termites, ants, worms, small reptiles and squirrels.
Locomotion
Quadrupedal knuckle walking, climbing, suspension, non-habitual bipedalism
(more often than P.troglodytes, less than humans).
Social Structure
Group Size: 50-200, usually groups of 6-15 for foraging
Fission-fusion grouping with multiple males and females. Foraging groups are also made up of males and females.
Females are more likely to leave their natal group than males, who stay in their mother's group. Groups tend to be more stable than those of P. troglodytes, perhaps due to plentiful food sources. There are also more male-female interactions outside of mating(grooming), and less aggressiveness.
Home Range: 2200-5800ha
Day Range: 1200-2400m
Behavior
Diurnal, arboreal, and terrestrial. Sleep in nests built in trees. Limited tool use.
Male and female dominance hierarchies, however the alpha female is dominant over the alpha male, unlike any other great ape.
Bonobos are highly "promiscuous", often engaging in sexual behaviors outside of that for reproduction. This is thought to be one of the main reasons that bonobos are so infrequently aggresive as the sexual interactions reduces tensions. Mating postures include face to face and dorsoventral as well as others. There is also a large occurence of female-female genital (G-G) rubbing throught the age groups, again including face-to-face positions. The only aparent sexual "taboo" being mothers mating with their mature sons.
for more information:
BONOBO: the Forgotten Ape by Frans de Waal and Frans Lanting