bonobos

Bonobos (Pan paniscus) are great apes in the family Hominidae and one of two extant species in the genus Pan, the other being the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). They are closely related to humans, sharing a long evolutionary history and about 98% of human DNA. Bonobos are endemic to the lowland rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, south of the Congo River, where they inhabit humid forest and swamp habitats.

Physically, bonobos are generally smaller and more slender than common chimpanzees, with dark facial skin and pink lips that brighten with age. They are known for a relatively peaceful, female-led social structure in which bonds are reinforced through affiliation and cooperative care. Sexual interactions occur frequently and serve social functions such as reconciliation and alliance building.

Their diet is primarily fruit, supplemented by leaves, seeds, flowers, and occasional animal prey, including small vertebrates. They are frugivores with extensive ranging behavior and form communities that show fission–fusion dynamics, changing group composition as food availability shifts.

Bonobos communicate through a range of vocalizations, facial expressions, and gestures. Alloparenting and strong mother–infant bonds are typical, and juveniles learn foraging and social skills by observing adults and older juveniles.

Reproduction includes a gestation period of about eight months, with typically one infant per birth. Interbirth intervals are several years. Bonobos are classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with population numbers likely in the low tens of thousands. Threats include habitat loss, hunting for bushmeat, and disease, while conservation efforts focus on protected areas, habitat preservation, and community engagement.