Monkey bonobo - the most intelligent monkey in the world

Specialists studying the life of primates came to the common opinion that the most intelligent monkey in the world is bonobo (a kind of chimpanzee, it is also called dwarf chimpanzee). This species is the closest to man from all known animals of our planet. Scientists joke that the bonobo is 99.4% human.

Features of the view

Unlike other varieties of chimpanzees, as, indeed, and varieties of other primates, the monkey bonobo has the most behavioral traits peculiar to man. For example, American scientists managed to teach a dwarf chimpanzee, who was named Kanzi, to understand about three thousand words. Moreover, he was able to use more than 500 words, using a keyboard with geometric marks.

Other experiments were conducted, which led to the conclusion that bonobos are the most intelligent monkey. This breed does not stand out as a separate species and refers to chimpanzees. Bonobos always, even during eating, actively communicate with each other, using a special system of sounds that is not deciphered to date. Their brains are much more developed than in other monkeys.

A dwarf chimpanzee is able to perceive other systems of signs. The experimenter who is kept in captivity gives 20-30 signs and their sound equivalent. Primacy remembers various commands in this language and then, when pronouncing previously unheard commands, performs certain actions, for example: "take out a chair from the room", "namyl ball", etc. Well, who then challenges the statement that the smartest monkey - bonobo.

The branches of hominids and chimpanzees were divided approximately five and a half million years ago. This species developed more slowly than ordinary chimpanzees, and for this reason these animals preserved much more archaic features inherent in humans and chimpanzees. Moreover, the set of genes of this dwarf monkey coincides with the human genes by 98%. Without pre-treatment, the blood of the bonobos can be transfused to humans. And the blood, for example, of a normal chimpanzee needs a preliminary removal of antibodies.

External Features

It is not known why this animal was called dwarfish - monkey bonobo is not inferior to its ordinary relatives in size. Males weigh from 35 to 60 kilograms, but more often their weight is fixed in the region of 45 kilograms. Female, as expected, more elegant. Their weight does not exceed 35 kilograms. The growth of an adult is about 115 centimeters.

Monkey Bonobo, the photo of which we have placed in this article, has a rather large head. Above the eyes, the superciliary arches are clearly visible, although they are poorly developed. The whole body is covered with black skin, except lips. They are pink in this monkey, which stand out well against a dark background. High forehead, small ears, wide nostrils. On the head there are long hair. The females are more developed than the representatives of other species.

Monkey bonabo has a slim body with a thin neck and long legs. Animals make loud barking sounds.

Habitat

Monkey bonabo lives in a unique place on our planet. It is located in the basin of the Congo River (Central Africa). This territory, about five hundred thousand kilometers square, is covered with dense tropical vegetation. Today here live about fifty thousand representatives of this species.

Behavior

Bonobos prefer collective living. Their number reaches one hundred individuals (adults and cubs). Despite the smaller size, compared to males, females have a higher social status. This is due to the fact that the "ladies" are more cohesive and organized than representatives of the opposite sex. If the female has entered into a conflict with the male, then immediately on its protection other females are thrown, but the male is not protected.

During the day, dwarf chimpanzees spend time and "talk" in small groups, and when the time of night sleep comes, the family connects. As a rule, these monkeys spend the night in nests, which they build on the branches of trees. In comparison with other primates, there is not such a strict social hierarchy in their collective.

Entertainment

All monkeys love to play. But bonobos approach this issue "professionally". They are especially inventive. Cubs constantly make funny faces and play real pantomimes, even if there are no spectators nearby.

Observers describe how bonobos were entertained: the monkey covered with a scrap of banana leaf or with the hands of the eye and began to spin, jumping on relatives or jumping over bumps - until it fell, losing its balance. After a little rest, she continued her fascinating occupation.

Probably, the bonobo monkey has preserved some of the features inherent in our ancient common ancestors, in a less altered form. It is obvious that the reconstruction of the social relationships of our ancestors and their behavior will not be complete without considering the features of behavior that are inherent in both bonobos and chimpanzees.

Food

Monkeys bonobos - animals are omnivores. The main part of their diet is fruit. In addition, they eat plants and invertebrates. Present in their menu and a small part of animal food. They will cope with small antelopes, proteins, etc.

Japanese scientists who have long observed the life of these animals, argue that among these monkeys there is cannibalism, in any case, they recorded one such episode. In 2008, adult monkeys ate a deceased calf.

Reproduction

The birth rate of this species is very low. Females give birth once in four - six years. Only one cub is born. Pregnancy lasts about two hundred and forty days. A caring mother feeds her baby for three years. Sexual maturity in bonobos occurs only at the age of thirteen. It is interesting that throughout the life of the cubs maintain a relationship with the mother. In natural conditions, the bonobo monkey lives for about forty years. In captivity (in zoos) they live up to sixty years. This is a very rare case when an animal in captivity lives longer than in a natural environment. And one more interesting feature - bonobos never develop SIV - the virus of immunodeficiency (monkeys).

Population

Today, scientists around the world are concerned about the fate of these unique animals. Active destruction of forests, instability in Central Africa does not contribute to the well-being of this species. Now the number of bonobos in tropical forests is rapidly decreasing. Unfortunately, the level of reproduction of this species is very small.

The smartest monkey in the world

The list of the smartest animals on our planet is unconditionally headed by anthropoid apes. But among them there are outstanding representatives who have such abilities that there is no shadow of doubt that they have an intellect that is close to the human.

In 2007, the world's most intelligent monkey, the Washoe chimpanzee, died. She was 42 years old. This was the first "talking" with the help of sign language the representative of primates. To fully communicate this unusually savvy monkey, there was only a larynx and vocal cords, which she was deprived of by nature.

Interesting facts about bonobos

Researches of scientists have shown that the brain of a dwarf chimpanzee differs significantly from the brain of its ordinary relatives. It is larger and more developed. In this regard, these animals can experience a feeling of empathy, tenderness, anxiety. Bonobos are peaceful beings, professing love. The absence of hostility and aggression is very rare, even, one might say, unique quality among animals.