Bonobos are quite social and communicate using their voices.

Their diverse vocalizations convey important information, such as where food is located, or express a wide range of emotions, like alarm, anger, excitement, satisfaction and more. 

NOTE: The bonobo habitat at the Columbus Zoo is undergoing renovation in 2023, and bonobos will not be viewable to the public until the re-opening in 2024. Their behind-the-scenes habitat provides them access to an outdoor area, indoor living spaces, and plenty of enrichment, keeping their health and well-being in mind. 

Scientific Name: Pan paniscus

Conservation Status: Endangered

Size: 27" to 32" tall

Weight: 65 to 120 lbs.

Bonobo sitting on platform
Nutrition
Fruit is the main food bonobos eat, though they also eat many other plant parts, such as, nuts, stems, shoots, leaves, and roots. They may also eat termites, grubs and worms.
Current and Historic Range
A small area south of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Habitat
Bonobos inhabit tropical rainforest and newly forested areas.
Predators
Although hunting of bonobos is illegal, poaching is still common.
Reproduction
Female bonobos can give birth to one baby about every four and a half years. Their gestation period is around 240 days.
Communication
Bonobos are quite social and communicate using their voices. Their diverse vocalizations convey important information, such as where food is located, or express a wide range of emotions, like alarm, anger, excitement, satisfaction and more.
Behaviors
Bonobos live in communities of males and females that can range between 30 and 80 individuals. When food is scarce, they will wet out in smaller groups of up to ten bonobos to search for food. The individuals in these small groups will vary, but being a matriarchal society, the females are always dominant, unlike in most other mammal groups. Every night these troops build new nests for sleeping.