Chimps, or chimpanzees in more precise terms, have been a breed of animals that has instigated amazement in humans from a long time, mostly because of the surprising commonality between their cumulative behaviour and that of humans. The Pan genus accommodates the two extant species referred to by the single name of chimpanzees. These species are – Pan troglodytes, and Pan paniscus. Though it is not too easy for the layman to appreciate the distinctions between the two species of chimpanzees, the fact remains that chimpanzees do exhibit traits that are strong and disparate enough for them to be categorized into distinct species.
The common chimpanzees are actually those belonging to the Pan troglodytes species, and inhabit regions in the Western and Central parts of Africa. On the other hand, those belonging to the Pan paniscus species are commonly called Bonobos, and are found in the forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congo River serves as a division line of sorts, acting as a physical separator between the two species of chimps.
Common chimps exhibit a tendency to live in humid regions. Deciduous rainforests are the ideal breeding grounds for chimpanzees. Swampy and marshy forests are often considered the ideal settings for chimpanzees, and this is attested to a certain extent by the fact that the forests of Central and Western Africa host a large number of chimps. These forests witness pretty humid conditions for a good part of the year. African land belt from Senegal to Tanzania has a considerable cover of forests that experience the suitable living conditions for the sustenance of chimps. Grasslands and woodlands are perfectly hospitable conditions for chimps to thrive, and the land alongside river Zaire provides many such settings. Thus, the Western and Central African region hosts common chimpanzees in appreciable numbers.
The deciduous forests of Africa are rich in varied fauna, and some of it matches the dietary needs of chimpanzees perfectly. For instance, chimps have no dearth of leaves, fruits, seeds, plant bulbs and flowers to chew and swallow in the African forests. Chewed leaves serve as water sponges for chimps, and they eat these leaves as a part of their water dose for the day. Also, there are ample supplies of ants and termites to satisfy the more prominent wants of chimps. The trees of these forests are studded with the temporary homes or nests created by chimpanzees to enjoy a comfortable sleep every night.