Latest news with #Chimpanzees
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Gorilla vs. Chimpanzee: What is different in similar-looking wild beasts
Image: National Geographic At a glance, gorillas and chimpanzees might seem like cousins in the jungle, both wild, powerful, and undeniably close to humans in appearance. But beyond their shared DNA and forest homes lies a fascinating tale of contrast. While they may belong to the great ape family and even share over 98% of their genetic code with us, gorillas and chimpanzees live drastically different lives. From how they raise their young to how they solve problems, these wild beasts are more than just similar-looking creatures, they are entirely unique characters in the animal kingdom. Difference in size and appearance of Gorilla and Chimpanzee Gorillas are the largest primates on Earth, with adult males weighing between 300 to 430 pounds and standing over 5.5 feet tall when upright. Their sheer muscle mass, barrel-like chests, and prominent crests on their skulls give them an intimidating presence. Covered in dark, coarse hair, mature male gorillas develop a silver "saddle" on their backs, which earns them the name 'silverback.' Chimpanzees, in contrast, are much smaller and lighter, typically weighing between 70 to 130 pounds and standing about 3 to 4 feet tall. Their limbs are long and lean, perfectly suited for life in the trees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Lost Their Money - Learn From Their Lesson Expertinspector Click Here Undo Chimpanzees have expressive faces, prominent ears, and more visible facial features, often making them appear more "human-like" in emotion and expression. Social lives: Powerful gorilla vs. political chimpanzee Gorillas live in tight-knit family groups led by a dominant male known as a silverback. His role is protector, decision-maker, and peacekeeper. These groups are often peaceful, with a strong emphasis on stability and care, especially for young members. Chimpanzees, on the other hand, live in dynamic communities that often split and merge, a style known as "fission-fusion." Their social lives are full of alliances, rivalries, and even political maneuvering. Chimpanzee males often compete aggressively for dominance, and their interactions can mirror human-like power struggles. Diet and dining habits differences Gorillas are primarily herbivores, consuming large amounts of leaves, stems, and fruits. Their strong jaws and large guts are adapted to digest tough vegetation, and they spend most of their day foraging quietly. Chimpanzees have a more varied diet. They eat fruits, seeds, insects, and even hunt smaller animals. Their occasional meat consumption and cooperative hunting behaviour are particularly notable, showing a level of strategy and teamwork rarely seen in the animal world. Tool use and intelligence Chimpanzees are the Einstein of the wild. They have been observed using sticks to fish for termites, leaves as sponges, and even stones to crack nuts. Their ability to learn, adapt, and teach tool use to younger generations speaks to a high level of cognitive ability. Gorillas, while intelligent, are less frequent tool users. In the wild, their need for tools is limited by their strength and the relatively passive nature of their food. However, in captivity, they show impressive problem-solving skills and memory. Temperament: Gentle giants vs. fierce thinkers Despite their massive size, gorillas are generally calm and gentle unless provoked. They prefer avoiding conflict and are deeply nurturing, especially among mothers and infants. Chimpanzees can be surprisingly aggressive, even violent. They have been known to engage in territorial battles and infanticide. Their intelligence is coupled with emotional complexity, making them unpredictable, both charming and dangerous. While gorillas impress with their strength and dignity, chimpanzees fascinate with their intelligence and complexity. Both species are endangered and deserve our protection, not just because they are our closest relatives, but because they reveal how diverse life can be, even within one biological family. Watching them is like peering into a mirror of our own evolution, one reflection showing calm power, the other cunning wit.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Orangutan Gets Introduced to a Mirror, and the Result Is Pure Diva Energy
Everyone is probably familiar with the expression 'monkey see, monkey do.' Apparently, this old phrase holds true for other primates, such as Orangutans. Just look at Amber, the Orangutan in this video. She recently got to examine her reflection in the mirror for the first time, and she had an absolute blast! Oh, Amber… She definitely gives off diva vibes, LOL! She just takes her time, really looking at her face and mouth from all kinds of different angles. There's a lot of curiosity here. You can tell that she is probably thinking, 'Oh, is that what I look like from that angle?' She's definitely having a good time checking herself out. Unsurprisingly, the Internet was completely enamored with Amber's preening gazes. Many people in the comments section admitted to examining their own reflections in front of the mirror in a similar fashion. TikTok user Delilah xx wrote, 'POV me going home and making faces in the mirror to see what I looked like out when I made an expression.'However, some people in the comments section, such as TikTok user kitajc, proposed that this behavior is common for some animals when they wrote, 'Self-aware animals tend to make weird faces/gestures/poses in mirrors because they like to examine parts of their bodies they don't get to see often.' That's an interesting point to think about. But is it true? And how self-aware are animals in general? There has been much debate over which animal species are able to recognize their reflections and what that says about their level of self-awareness. Orangutans and other primates, such as Chimpanzees, have passed the mirror recognition test since scientists began administering it in 1970. This test was designed to determine if animals showed signs of self-awareness when they encountered a mirror. Only a handful of animals have displayed such signs. Most do not, and numerous species have exhibited behaviors that scientists deem inconclusive in determining self-awareness. Orangutans, like Amber in the video, first passed this test in 1973 when they were able to identify markings on their bodies using a mirror. However, gorillas have not conclusively been able to do this. Neither have many species of monkeys, which typically consider their reflections to be other monkeys. Many dog parents have likely seen their canine companions reach a similar conclusion about their reflections when they are confronted with a mirror. Amber, the Orangutan, definitely knows that she is looking at herself in the mirror. The question is, is she examining her mouth and teeth so that she can clean them later on, or is she simply passing the time, entertaining herself, similar to how humans like to take selfies? Given how much she positions her mouth at different angles, we think she is trying to gauge how she looks. While not every Orangutan might necessarily examine their teeth in a mirror this way, it is possible that Amber learned this behavior by observing another Orangutan or even a human doing something similar. In addition to recognizing themselves in the mirror, Orangutans are also capable of social learning. Scientists have observed different Orangutan groups in the wild using leaves as napkins to wipe their faces or gloves to help them while handling spiny fruits. Not all Orangutan groups do this. According to scientists, these are learned behaviors that are passed down from elder Orangutans to the younger generation. So, it is possible that Amber is reenacting a behavior she learned from observing another Orangutan or a human. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
