A group of living things
Humans and chimpanzees
Hominini (broad sense)
Among our closest living relatives.
Its members' last common ancestor lived about 7 million years ago.
You are part of this group. See how.
Chimpanzees are among our closest living relatives. Humans did not come from living chimpanzees. Both humans and chimpanzees are living branches of one family, and both have changed since they parted. Both are apes with no tail, four limbs and forward-facing eyes.
Chimpanzees walk on all fours. They rest on the knuckles of their hands and the soles of their feet, but can stand and walk upright. Their long arms and fingers help them climb trees and swing from branch to branch. They have dark hair over most of their body, with bare faces and large ears that stick out. Humans are usually taller, walk fully upright on long legs, and have very little body hair.
Wild chimpanzees live together in groups of several dozen and groom each other to bond. They have the widest range of any great ape apart from humans. They live across western to central Africa from Gambia to Uganda. They feed mostly in trees and build fresh nests of leaves to sleep in. Humans began in Africa too but now make homes on almost every continent, from cities to deserts.
Tool makers
Wild chimpanzees shape sticks to fish for termites and ants, crack nuts with stones, and use leaves as sponges to drink water. The first report was by Jane Goodall in 1960.
About 80 foods
Scientists have recorded about 80 different foods eaten by chimpanzees, from fruit, seeds, leaves, bark, honey and flowers to insects. They also hunt monkeys and small antelope for meat.
Bigger brains
A human brain is about three times the size of a chimpanzee brain. It holds about 1,350 cubic centimetres, or about two per cent of body weight.