Chimpanzees are broken down into two unique categories.  Pan troglodytes, the common animal conceived when someone thinks of a chimpanzee, and Pan paniscus, the Bonobo.  Pan troglodytes themselves are even further broken down by many as having 2 sub-species containing the East and West African chimpanzee.

     Chimpanzees live in West and Central Africa, North of the river Zaire, from Senegal to Tanzania. They prefer humid forests, deciduous woodland and mixed savanna. Chimpanzees presence in open areas depends on access to evergreens and fruit-producing forests.  Currently, based on info I was able to find, the last study I came across, dated 1989, estimated 150,000 - 235,000 chimpanzees still living in the wild.

     Chimpanzees live in groups (communities) from 15-120 strong.   These groups are flexible associations of males and females that share a common home range. A community has a dominant male leader. The entire community rarely congregates together in the same place. Community borders are patrolled by male parties and outsiders may be attacked and killed.  Males seldom leave the community into which they are born, but females generally leave migrate to a new community during an adolescent estrous period. Within these communities individuals have their own 'core' areas and spend 80% of their time in these. Each chimpanzee has its own network of social contacts.  Male chimps tend to associate with their maternal brothers but will associate with other males as well. Although males are commonly aggressive to each other they also actively seek out and groom one another. Grooming to remove dirt and external parasites is important in maintaining friendly relations and can also be used as a means of exchange to gain favors from another individual.

     The life expectancy of a chimpanzee ranges from 40 to 45 years in the wild, sometimes longer in captivity.  Chimpanzees reproduce approximately 1 infant every five or so years, from adolescence at age of 13.  There is no standard breeding season in chimpanzees like many other animals. Females mate when they are in heat and may be promiscuous or form an exclusive 'consort ship' with a single male. Females are not receptive to courtship or mating for 3-4 years after giving birth and generally will not have another baby for 5-6 years if the first young survives. Young ride on the mothers back for several years, are weaned between 3.5 and 4.5 years but may still travel with her at age 10. Bonds between mother and young may persist throughout life.