As no study has lasted longer than a bonobo lifespan, total number of offspring per female is unknown. Therefore, lactation may suppress ovulation, but not the outward signs of estrus. The average interbirth interval is 4.6 years (4.8 if one only includes live births). During this period, she continues to lactate until her offspring is weaned at around 4 years. At this point, copulation may resume, although these copulations do not lead to conception, indicating that the female is probably not fertile. A female may resume external signs of estrus (i.e. Postpartum amenorrhea lasts less than one year in bonobos. Matings are concentrated during the time of maximal swelling. Some of the seminal studies of this species have noted that “bonobos have not yet been studied long enough to provide data on age at sexual maturity or birth interval” (Nishida and Hiraiwa-Hasegawa, 1987), the most frequently researched “Wamba and Lomako study populations lack long-term demographic data” (Thompson-Handler et al., 1984), and “information on the demography of wild bonobos is very limited compared to that for chimpanzees” (Furuichi et al., 1998).įemale bonobos undergo estrus, marked by distinctive swelling of the perineal tissue lasting 10 to 20 days. ( Kano, 1992)īasic life history traits of bonobos are under-researched. However, the mating system may be confused by the use of sexual activity in these animals as part of social bond formation. Females may be approached by and copulate with, any male in the group except their sons. Range length 104 to 124 cm 40.94 to 48.82 inīonobos are polygynandrous.Average cranial capacity is 350 cubic centimeters. Average height is 119 cm for males and 111 cm for femals. Although sexual dimorphism exists with males around 30% heavier (37 to 61 kg, 45 kg average) than females (27 to 38 kg, 33.2 kg average), bonobos are less sexually dimorphic than many primates, and skeletons are nearly the same size. Bonobos have longer extremities, particularly hind legs, as compared to common chimpanzees. This contrasts with common chimpanzees, which have lighter skin, particularly during the younger years.īonobos are primarily knuckle-walkers, although at times they walk bipedally and do so more frequently than P. mid-face, hands, feet) are darkly colored throughout life. The portions of body not covered with hair (i.e. The hair is generally longer than in common chimpanzees, and is particularly noticeable on the cheeks, which are relatively hairless in P. Bonobos are apes about two-thirds the size of humans, with dark hair covering their bodies. Unlike its closest cousins ( common chimpanzees), bonobos are not divided into subspecies. The "pygmy" modifier may instead refer to its location: it lives in an area inhabited by people often referred to as such. Range elevation 299 to 479 m 980.97 to 1571.52 ftĬontrary to the implication of one of its common names, "pygmy chimpanzee," this species is not particularly diminutive when compared to common chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes).Some bonobo populations may have a preference to sleep in relatively small (15 to 30 m tall) trees, particularly those found in secondary growth forests. Foraging occurs in each type of habitat, while sleeping occurs in forested areas. In addition to the forested areas, swamp forests opening into marsh-grassland areas occur, which are also utilized. Species composition, height, and density of trees are different in each, yet all are utilized by bonobos. The area generally is classified as tropical rainforest however, local agriculture and areas reverted to forest from agriculture (“young” and “aged secondary forest”) are intermingled. Within the Congo Basin, bonobos inhabit several vegetation types. This area is located south of an arc formed by the Congo River (formerly the Zaire River) and its headwater, the Lualaba River, and north of the Kasai Rver. Bonobos ( Pan paniscus) live in the forests located centrally in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire).
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