Introducing Bonobos Have you heard of bonobos?

Introducing Bonobos

Have you heard of bonobos?

Bonobo Pan paniscus

Do the bonobos remind you of anything or anyone? Why?

The Great Apes

• And according to some scientists, humans are great apes, too.

Which is which?

Which is which?

• Gorilla Bonobo Orangutan Chimpanzee

Meeting the bonobos

Describe the physical characteristics of the bonobo.

Adult Females Adult Males

• Average weight is 31 kg/68.3 lbs

• Average height is 2.3 to 2.49 ft

Bonobo Social Groups

• Bonobos live in groups of up to 100 individuals. Most groups have between 25-75 bonobos.

• They form smaller groups during the day to forage.

• What is foraging?

57% of their diet is fruit

• Bonobos forage for fruit, nuts, seeds, sprouts, vegetation, and mushrooms.

• They eat various parts of plants, including the leaves, flowers, bark, stems, pith, and roots.

• They also eat insect larvae, earthworms, honey, eggs, and soil. Only sometimes do they eat small mammals and they very rarely hunt.

• You could say they are primarily vegetarians or herbivores.

• At night, bonobos re-group and build night nests in the trees

• These are made of branches, leaves, and other vegetation.

• As they prepare to sleep, bonobos fill the twilight with a symphony of soprano squeals. Their high-pitched vocalizations sound like a flock of exotic birds.