Bonobo - description, habitat, lifestyle

Bonobos are mammals that belong to the order of primates. They are part of the hominid family. These monkeys are also called pygmy chimpanzees.

These animals are considered the most intelligent among all the primates that exist in our time. Their short-term memory is much better than human.

Habitat

These primates live in only one place on the planet. It is located in the center of the African continent in the bend of the Zaire River.

Appearance

Although these animals are called dwarf, this does not characterize their size. They are similar in appearance and size to their relatives. An adult male can weigh 35-70 kg, but the average body weight is about 45 kg. Females weigh 35 kg on average. Growth in females is about 1.30 m, in males - 1.5 m.

Their head is large, eyebrows are above the eyes. The skin is black and the lips are pinkish. These monkeys have large ears, widely set nostrils, and a high forehead. Long hair grows throughout the body. Their neck is thin and their legs are long.

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Another feature is a good memory. They lend themselves well to learning. Scientists tried to teach these animals to understand speech. The results of the experiments hit them. One of the monkeys learned not only to understand, but also to use a lot of words, which she could type on the keyboard, where geometric figures were depicted. Many more studies have been carried out, as a result of which scientists were convinced that bonobos are the smartest primates. They can memorize sounds and then execute commands on them.

Behavior

The alpha male in the bonobo group is determined during the hunt and the primitive game of “war”. But at the head of the group of animals will still be a female.

These animals are very peaceful. If any discrepancies arise, then they end in pairing. They live in large flocks. In each of them there are usually about 100 individuals. Females, although smaller in size, still occupy the highest social status in the pack. This is due to the fact that females in the group have more cohesion. For example, if there is a conflict between honey males, no one will protect them. If the male conflicts with the female, then the remaining females of the group will protect her.

All members of the pack spend most of their time together. In the daytime, they are divided into small groups. They communicate and play. At night the whole group comes together.

Entertainment

Representatives of this species, like all other monkeys, love games. This is an important part of their life. Often several chimpanzees are involved in the game. The games they have are interesting and varied.

Their favorite pastime is grimacing. Kids really like to do this. They can make faces all day, playing whole mimes. They can do this both in a group and in solitude.

These chimpanzees love to have fun doing flips, swirling, swaying on vines, as well as jumping on relatives.

Food

Many people believe that all monkeys eat only bananas. This is due to the fact that we see it in films or television shows. This is actually not the case. These chimpanzees are omnivores. They can eat everything they find. The basis of the diet of pygmy chimpanzees is fruit. But they also eat various plants, root crops. From animal foods, they prefer small invertebrates. They can even eat larger animals if they can defeat them.

Often they hunt effortlessly, but during such games their prey is real. They can bring squirrels, various small rodents and even a small antelope.

One of the features that cause hostility to these primates is the tendency to cannibalism. They may well eat their cubs.

Cannibalism

The fact that pygmy chimpanzees eat their own kind is a reliable fact. But in this case, this is not unthinkable. After all, bonobos are not the only cannibals in the animal world. Many animals can eat their cubs. These are hamsters, beetles, and some species of birds and fish. This phenomenon is rather strange. It is not clear why animals eat their offspring, whereas it is precisely on its appearance that the whole essence of nature is directed. It turns out that at first animals reproduce their own kind, which is a natural phenomenon, and then destroy them.

But this behavior quickly disappears in a particular population. It is believed that cannibalism, which sometimes manifests itself in representatives of the animal world, is a survival strategy. Eating children for pygmy chimpanzees is a population control method.

Breeding

In the reproduction of these primates there are no clear rules. There is no dependence on the time of year, nor on the status of group members, nor on any other factors. Therefore, the pregnancy in the female can begin at any time. In one female, pregnancy may occur not annually, but at intervals of 3-5 years. Pregnancy lasts 220-225 days. As a rule, 1 baby is born, but occasionally there are 2 or 3 of them.

Bonobos have puberty at 13 years old. Their life expectancy is about 30 years. When kept in a net, they can live twice as long.

A newborn pygmy chimpanzee does not have hair on its body. She grows up after a while. They spend their childhood with family members. Only after a few months do they sometimes begin to leave to take a walk or play.

It is noteworthy that bonobos communicate with their mother throughout their lives. They do not communicate with fathers.

House maintenance

Some people like to have different exotic animals at home. One of the most popular options are bonobos. But not everyone wants to take this step. Many do not know whether they can keep a monkey, and do not dare to acquire it, they are afraid to take risks. Some do not know how to properly care for her.

In fact, all fears and fears are unfounded. They are caused only by ignorance. But today you can easily read a lot of information about how to properly maintain this or that monkey.

But, if you constantly pay attention to this pet, it will behave normally. After all, by their nature they are very peaceful. If you have enough time for this, then feel free to get such a pet. But it’s important to understand that chimpanzees are more than just animals. It requires almost the same care as a child. Even if you acquire an adult, you will have to educate and train it. But this process is very interesting, because bonobos are very smart and capable. You can not be afraid that they will show any kind of aggression, because chimpanzees have a peace-loving character. They get along well with other pets.

Video: bonobo (Pan paniscus)