Bonobo
Bonobo
Bonobo (/bəˈnoʊboʊ/ or /ˈbɒnəboʊ/), also historically called the pygmy chimpanzee and less often, the dwarf or gracile chimpanzee, is an endangered great ape and one of the two species making up the genus Pan; the other is Pan troglodytes, or the common chimpanzee.
Etymology
The name "bonobo" first appeared in 1954, when Eduard Paul Tratz and Heinz Heck proposed it as a new and separate generic term for pygmy chimpanzees. The name is thought to be a misspelling of Bolobo, a town on the Congo River near where the first specimens were collected.
Description
Bonobos are distinguished by relatively long legs, pink lips, dark face and tail-tuft through adulthood, and parted long hair on its head. The species is omnivorous and inhabits primary and secondary forests, including seasonally inundated swamp forests.
Behavior
Bonobos are known for their peaceful behavior and the importance of sexual activity in their society. They are the only non-human animal to have been observed engaging in all of the following sexual activities: face-to-face genital sex, tongue kissing, and oral sex.
Conservation
Bonobos are an endangered species, due largely to habitat loss and hunting. Conservation efforts are being made to protect the species, with several reserves and protected areas being established across their range.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bonobo
- Wikipedia's article - Bonobo
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