Chimpanzees

The 98.8% Club

If you look closely at your hand, you are looking at something almost identical to a chimpanzee’s hand. Humans share about 98.8% of our DNA (the biological instruction code inside our cells) with these great apes. Chimps have opposable thumbs (thumbs that can press against other fingers) just like us, but they also have opposable big toes. This means a chimp can grab a branch or a banana with its foot just as easily as you can with your hand. While they walk on their knuckles when they are on the ground, their super-strong arms and flexible shoulders allow them to swing through the treetops like Olympic gymnasts.

Jungle Toolboxes

For a long time, scientists thought only humans were smart enough to use tools. Chimps proved them wrong. These clever primates make and use their own gear daily. To hunt for termites, a chimp will strip the leaves off a twig, lick it to make it sticky, slide it into a termite mound, and pull it out covered in crunchy insects—like a fishing rod for snacks. If they want a drink of water from a deep tree hollow, they chew up leaves to make a squishy “sponge” and dip it in. They even use flat rocks as tables and heavy stones as hammers to crack open hard nuts.

Brains and Games

Chimps live in large, noisy family groups called communities, which can have up to 150 members. To keep the peace, they spend hours grooming (cleaning each other’s fur). This is like a high-five or a hug; it builds trust and friendship. When it comes to brainpower, chimps can beat humans in memory tests. In computer games where numbers from 1 to 9 flash on a screen for a fraction of a second and then turn into blank squares, young chimps can instantly remember where every single number was and tap them in the correct order. They complete this puzzle faster than university students.