header: Bonobo
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INTRODUCTION

There is a significant overlap in size between the Bonobo, P. paniscus, and the Chimpanzee, P. troglodytes. The weight of the Bonobo is also similar to that of the Chimpanzee: female Bonobos weigh an average of 33 kg and males 45 kg.5,6 The Bonobo differs from the Chimpanzee in body proportions; Bonobos are more gracile in build, with a smaller, rounder skull, and a flatter face with less-prominent brow ridges. The young are born with a black face and hands, and small ears that are hidden behind distinctive side whiskers. As adults, the Bonobo retains a prominent tail tuft that Chimpanzees have only as juveniles.5 The Bonobo is a highly social animal, with groups usually based upon a female member and her male offspring.11 Bonobos can peacefully exist in large groups sometimes with as many as a hundred members; generally groups of Bonobos forage together.6 In contrast, Chimpanzees can be relatively aggressive, infanticide and killing of males by males (behaviour not recorded in Bonobos) have been reported; female Chimpanzees will often retreat with their infants to forage alone, avoiding bullying by the larger males or other females.6

Bonobos have been recorded using a variety of forest types including primary and secondary forests. Although the optimal Bonobo habitat has yet to be established, high densities are known in secondary forest on dry ground.3,15 Fruit comprises the majority of the diet but leaves, pith, flowers, seeds and invertebrates are also eaten.3 Bonobos have been observed to eat small mammals, although unlike Chimpanzees, they have rarely been seen actively hunting for meat.3,6

Female Bonobos become sexually mature at thirteen years of age. Gestation period is thought to be between 220 and 230 days. They normally give birth to single young, with five year intervals between each; infants are nursed until they are four years old.11 In contrast to the Chimpanzee, male offspring will stay with the mother's group for life, whilst females leave the maternal group for another band at maturity.6


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