Chimpanzee Classifications by Species

Chimpanzees belong to both the great ape family and the subfamily, or genus, Pan. The Pan subfamily contains two species, the common chimpanzee and the bonobo. However, some scientists dispute existing classifications of the chimpanzee species. Professor Jared Diamond, for example, would classify human beings as a third species of chimpanzee, while conservation groups like the International Union for Conservation of Nature call for the widespread recognition of four regional subspecies of common chimpanzee.

  1. Eastern Chimpanzee

    • The eastern chimpanzee thrives in the swamp forests and wooded savannas of Uganda and the Central African Republic. Scientifically classified as Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, eastern chimpanzees, or long-haired chimpanzees, grow side whiskers and long body hair. Their faces, palms and the soles of their feet turn a dark bronze or copper color as they grow older. A lightweight among great apes, eastern chimpanzees remain the smallest subspecies of chimpanzee.

    Central Chimpanzee

    • Scientifically known as Pan troglodytes troglodytes, central chimpanzees are sometimes called black-faced chimpanzees. Their young are born with pale ears and faces, but these darken with age. Adults have black skin on their faces, hands and feet. The central chimpanzee lives in the rain forests of Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Cameroon.

    Nigerian Chimpanzee

    • The Nigerian chimpanzee struggles to maintain a stable population on the west coast of Africa. Deforestation and rapid agricultural expansion destroy its traditional habitats. The International Union for Conservation of Nature warns that the Nigerian chimpanzee moves closer to extinction every year. Researchers in 2006 estimated the population of this least numerous of all chimpanzee subspecies at around 6,500 individuals. The Nigerian chimpanzee's scientific name is Pan troglodytes ellioti. It survives in only two African countries, Nigeria and Cameroon.

    Western Chimpanzee

    • The western chimpanzee flourishes in nine countries on the west coast of Africa. Scientifically classified as Pan troglodytes verus, these chimpanzees are commonly known as masked chimpanzees or pale-faced chimpanzees. The western chimpanzee has a noticeably paler face than the other chimpanzee subspecies.

    Bonobo

    • Bonobos are close relatives of the common chimpanzee.

      Bonobos survive in only one African country, the Democratic Republic of Congo. They inhabit the humid swamps and moist forests south of the Congo River. Scientifically classified as Pan paniscus, bonobos are also known as bonobo chimpanzees, gracile apes, dwarf chimpanzees, lesser chimpanzees and pygmy chimpanzees. They are roughly the same size as common chimpanzees. Bonobos have smaller ears, smaller teeth, a more slender build and long fine body hair. Unlike common chimpanzees, they do not lose their hair as they grow older.