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
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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
Fig Tree
Leopard
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/anim
als/creaturefeature/chimpanzee/
• http://www.awf.org/content/wildlife/detail/c
himpanzee
The End