The Western chimpanzee (or Pan troglodytes verus) is a subspecies of the common chimpanzee native to the forests of Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast. Along with bonobos, they are the closest living relatives of human beings, sharing more than 98% of our DNA.
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Pan troglodytes verus
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western-chimpanzee
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Animal Facts
Western chimpanzees are the only subspecies of chimp that make spears to hunt other primates. Chimps can be very aggressive and in the wild, they will plan attacks and ambushes on rival groups.
Chimpanzees have been successfully taught sign language. Washoe, a wild-born chimp who was captured by the US Air Force and subsequently lived with two researchers from the University of Nevada, learned 350 signs and taught some of them to her son.
Chimpanzees have been observed collecting fermented alcoholic sap from palm trees in leaves and drinking it. They seem to enjoy alcohol and when an alcohol source is discovered, they will return to it.
Chimps have been observed keeping hyraxes as pets for a time in the wild.
Chimps use medicine; when they are sick they eat certain types of leaves to settle their upset stomach and kill parasitic worms.