They’re More Peaceful Than Chimpanzees and Humans PHOTO: PIXABAY / HERBERT AUST To further prove their connection with those they don’t know, in one study, bonobos began spontaneous yawning when seeing videos of other unfamiliar bonobos yawning. Even further, they will forgo food altogether to interact with a stranger.

They gladly share food with strangers, both in the wild and in captivity, and they’ve also been observed helping strangers get food that’s out of their reach. They’re known to be xenophilic, which means they love strangers. If there were an animal apt to chat you up on the bus in the morning, it may be the bonobo. Strangers Are Just Friends They Haven’t Met Yet PHOTO: PIXABAY / MMCCLAIN90 They provide protection and support, and have even been seen mimicking holding a baby to encourage the mother as she’s pushing. Subgroups of the species generally revolve around an “alpha” female, her male offspring, and female associations.Īnother interesting thing about the female relationships found among bonobos is that females have been observed helping mothers in labor. Offspring remain close by their mothers for several years, but daughters ultimately become independent, while sons remain within their mother’s group. When it comes to bonobos, females rule the roost, making them the only matriarchal great ape species. They’re a Matriarchal Society PHOTO: PIXABAY / HERBERT AUST A recent study found that people were able to understand most of them, which researchers say shows we may have maintained some of our shared language from millions of years ago. Humans are pretty good at picking up those bonobo gestures, too. Much like us, bonobos live in family groups, have a high level of intelligence, and often communicate with each other through hand and limb gestures. We split off from a common ancestor between 6 and 8 million years ago. They’re Our Closest Animal Relative PHOTO: PIXABAY / TSAUQUETīonobos and chimpanzees share more than 98% of their DNA with humans, making them our closest animal relatives. IUCN estimates their historic range at around 220,000 square miles. They’re found in the central basin of the country between two river systems: the Congo-Zaire-Walaba River and the Kwa-Kasai-Sankuru River. They’re Only Found in a Small Area PHOTO: PIXABAY / TSAUQUETīonobos have a fairly small range within the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bonobos are smaller, have different diets, and are less aggressive than their chimpanzee cousins. There are plenty of differences between the two, though. They were first classified separately in 1933. They Were Once Believed to be Another Chimpanzee PHOTO: PIXABAY / TSAUQUETīonobos have been referred to as pygmy chimpanzees because scientists once thought they were a small version of chimpanzees.

Learn more about this endangered species as you get ready to woo that special someone. It’s probably appropriate, as these apes – closely related to humans – are known for being lovers, not fighters. February 14 is Valentine’s Day, but it’s also World Bonobo Day.

Chimpanzee photo