Ryan: I think chimpanzees are one of those animals for which everyone has a handful of facts that they like to bring up in conversation. Chimps are among the strongest per body mass of the great apes; they can ’learn’ about 400 words, and perhaps the most commonly mentioned are that chimpanzees are our closest genetic relatives. In fact we share more DNA with each other than any other species. For this reason it is possible to transfuse blood between members of this species and ours, and chimps can contract HIV, whereas other primates contract a relative strain called SIV (Simian Immuno-Deficiency Virus). But despite these similarities, chimpanzees don’t swim very well.
The reason for his is that chimpanzees have tremendous bone density, which doesn’t make them buoyant but is part of the reason for their phenomenal strength. I recall one story, perhaps apocryphal, of two explorers whose thigh and buttocks muscles had been torn from their bodies by an enraged young male that they had encountered. As I said, I’m not sure if this is true but chimpanzee strength is said to be five to seven times greater than ours.
This strength also makes chimps quite fearsome predators in their jungle habitats. This fact created quite a lot of controversy when it was first document, but now seems to be widely accepted. While it’s true that chimps mostly eat fruit, they are know to prey on wild pigs, small deer and various types of monkeys. The hapless Red Colobus Monkey comprises about 80% of their prey. Most of the hunting is done by males, in teams or alone, which corner their intended victim in a tree and then dash its head upon the stump once they’ve caught it.
One of the main questions is the purpose this hunting serves, as meat isn’t such a great part of their diet, and what it says about meat eating amongst those of us who do. I guess the fish are just happy they only have to contend with us.