Bonobo: An Ape for the Nineties

Bonobo: An Ape for the NinetiesBonobo: An Ape for the Nineties

““Pygmy ChimpPygmy Chimp””Pan Pan paniscuspaniscus““CommonCommon”” chimp = chimp = Pan troglodytesPan troglodytes

As close to us as As close to us as chimpschimps

Bonobos are the least-studied apeBonobos are the least-studied ape

Field studies still rareField studies still rareInaccessable Inaccessable range in range in Congo forestsCongo forests

Dr. Kano

African ApesAfrican ApesPan paniscus

Frans de Waal & Frans Lanting:Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape

Frans de Waal & Frans Lanting:Bonobo: The Forgotten Ape

DeDe Waal Waal studies zoo studies zoo colonies (author of colonies (author of Chimpanzee PoliticsChimpanzee Politics))

Bonobos’ humanlike physical traits :Bonobos’ humanlike physical traits :ProportionsProportionsUprightnessUprightnessTeethTeethBreastsBreasts

Bonobo FamilyBonobo Family

Long childhood (typical ape)Long childhood (typical ape)No food sharingNo food sharing

Females independent Females independent Migrate at maturityMigrate at maturity

MotherMother--son bond is stableson bond is stable

Bonobo SexualityBonobo Sexuality Not restricted to estrusNot restricted to estrusAll Combinations of All Combinations of partnerspartnersVariety of positionsVariety of positions

Often front to frontOften front to front

Eases social tensionEases social tension

More Sex . . .More Sex . . .

Males rubrumps to easetensionFemale G-G rubbing

Largest apepenis

Masturbation

Social StructureSocial StructurePeacefulPeacefulCooperativeCooperativeFemales usually dominantFemales usually dominant

Ape Behavior: A SummaryApe Behavior: A SummaryCertain human traits absentCertain human traits absent

LongLong--term sexual bondsterm sexual bondsFatherhoodFatherhoodProvisioningProvisioningLanguageLanguage

No one social modelNo one social modelGorilla haremsGorilla haremsChimp male dominanceChimp male dominanceBonobo Bonobo peaceful matriarchypeaceful matriarchyGibbon monogamyGibbon monogamyOrang Orang polygamypolygamyLinked to ecologyLinked to ecology

Aptitude for learning Aptitude for learning complex social behaviorcomplex social behavior

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