A system of open communities
Chimpanzees are found in savanna woodlands, grassland-forest mosaic and tropical moist forests, from sea level to about 3,000 m elevation.
Social StructureChimpanzees are highly social animals. Their communities consist of loose and flexible groups of males and females (fusion-fission societies) within a fixed home range, led by a dominant male. Members join and leave these communities freely, depending among other on their reproductive status and the availability of resources.
Apart from the dominant leader, there are also groups of individuals with some level of authority. Communities of about 50 individuals each have been reported in forest, woodland and savanna habitat, but overall size range is around 15-80.
Subgroups may include solitary individuals or diverse groups of both sexes and all ages. These aggregations are temporary and constantly change in composition, regardless of gender and age.
Life Cycle
For the first 6 months, the young is carried around clinging to its mother's underbelly, and after that it rides on its mother's back. It weans at 3.5-4.5 years, while still remaining reliant on its mother for a longer period, sometimes up to 10 years. Although chimpanzees reach sexual maturity at about 7 years, females do not produce offspring until they reach 13-14 years of age. Chimpanzees may live until they are 50.
Breeding
Breeding occurs throughout the year. Following a gestation period ranging from 202 and 261 days, females give birth to a single young, and occasionally twins, every five to six year. Of this offspring, about three will survive.
Diet
Food items include fruits, leaves and other plant parts, honey, insects (especially termites), and occasionally eggs and meat. Chimpanzees sometimes stalk, kill and eat other primates or young antelopes, and may hunt co-operatively.