Chimpanzee
Pan troglodytes
At the Detroit Zoo
The Great Apes of Harambee is home to 13 chimpanzees, including the newest addition, Tai, who was born in May 2023. Other young members of the troop include Zane, a male born in 2020, and Jane, a female born in 2018.
Visitors often ask why they can’t see the chimpanzees at all times, and this is because of the large size of their habitat. The animals at the Detroit Zoo have many choices for how they spend their time. If you do not immediately see an animal, we encourage you to spend a few minutes looking around at the various viewing areas and talking to the docents who can point out the animals if they are resting somewhere.
In the winter months, the chimpanzees can been seen in their habitat’s indoor viewing area.
Description
Chimpanzees have long black or brown hair covering their bodies, but have no hair on their faces, ears, hands or feet. They have pink skin at birth but, as they grow, the skin turns black. Chimpanzees have fingernails, toenails and opposable thumbs, just like humans. Their small faces have defined brows, small nostrils and small muzzles.
Fun Facts
-
Chimpanzees share more than 98 percent of the same genetic material with humans, making them our closest living relatives.
-
Chimpanzees are among few animal species that make and use tools. Examples include using sticks to catch insects and stones to crack open nuts.
-
Chimpanzees live in large groups called troops.