The order of primates include a wide and varied array of species, from lemurs to macaques to humans. Grouped by distinctive characterestics, they are also distinguished by clear dissimilarities. Both these aspects may be seen with comparison to chimpanzees and bonobos and to an even more marked degree in regards to nonhuman primates and humans. Each species possess its own specific traits ranging from physical to behavioral to mental that set it apart from its biological kindred while still being firmly linked together. Chimpanzees and bonobos are physically quite similar to one another, with the chimps displaying greater sexual dimorphism, the physical variances between males and females. Both species are vocal, form social bonds, and live together as groups. In regards to particulars, however, they differ. The bonobos are more vocal than chimps and use a different series of sounds. The bonds they form amongst themselves occur most strongly between male chimpanzees whilst the females share the tightest bonds among the bonobo. These types of bonds affect the social groupings they live in with chimp society dominated by a prominent alpha whereas bonobo females dominate their societies, passing their status on to their offspring (Hanratty, personal communication). …show more content…
However, bonobos only demonstrate this aptitude in captivity after being taught by humans, whereas chimpanzees create and implement tools in the wild. Chimps have been observed sharping sticks to hunt bush-babies, digging for ants, and cracking nuts with rocks, activities never carried out among wild bonobos. Another disparity is the frequency of sexual behavior among bonobos who participate in such acts to relieve stress or tension in contrast to chimps who only engage in sexual acts for purposes of mating (Hanratty, personal