Appearance of the Chimp
The chimpanzee first appeared about 6 million years ago.
Environment and Adaptations
Chimpanzees are found in African rain forests, woodlands, and the grasslands. Chimpanzees have adapted to their environment by developing long arms, flexible joints which are used to climb trees, and a thick black coat of hair that protects them from heavy rain and insect bites. Other adaptations are large ears that allow them to hear distant sounds which allows them to warn others of danger.
Evolution History
Chimpanzees are part of the genus Pan, which is part of the subfamily Homininae. The subfamily consists of gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees. The chimp evolved bonobos. The first chimps shared similar characteristics to the three primates before it, but had most characteristics from the bonobo. As the chimpanzee developed there bodies and stature became more upright and distinctive almost as a human's is. The chimpanzees ancestors consist of bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans.
As stated before, the chimps ancestors are bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans. These species all have similar characteristics to the chimpanzee and are all closely related. They have similar body features, behaviors, and thinking patterns. If the four primates were compared side by side it would be known that they have a close relation, but showing that the chimp evolved from the bonobo. The chimp did indeed, though, evolve into the human. A chimp and human share almost the same DNA.
What's Next?
Chimpanzees are still living and will continue to prosper. The species, just like humans, develop and improve everyday to better themselves. Chimpanzees already make tools and other objects to make their lives better, so who knows what's next. Chimpanzees also contribute to the space program and those chimps are gaining intelligence at this time. At this rate chimpanzees will have the same intellectual abilities as the human race.