Chimpanzees

What chimpanzees on the hunt can tell us about human behavior.

• By James McWilliams

Spending time together makes everybody's microbiomes more alike, while increasing microorganism diversity.

• By Nathan Collins

Scientists find that, compared to our closest primate relatives, the landscape of the human brain is exceptionally sensitive to external influences.

• By Kate Wheeling

The U.S. government classifies all chimpanzees as endangered, after decades of stalling.

• By Brian Palmer

Human behaviors sync up when we hang out, and new research shows that other social animals might unconsciously mimic their peers as well.

• By Kate Wheeling

Defining rights for non-humans beyond bestowing them with “personhood” can only become more important as we learn more about animal cognition.

• By Jane C. Hu

Researchers are finding many genes unique to our species, but so far they reveal little about our most human traits.

• By Michael White

New research on twins finds nature and nurture interact to produce accomplished musicians. A second study suggests chimps might be among their fans.

• By Tom Jacobs

It appears that humans caught the sexually-transmitted form of herpes from chimpanzees. But that doesn't necessarily mean our ancestors were having unprotected sex with chimp forebears.

• By John Upton

Chimps recently figured out a computer game more quickly than humans. It may be because they're so familiar with navigating basic win-lose dynamics.

• By John Upton

As Jane Goodall turns 80, Henry Nicholls talks to her about her remarkable career studying chimpanzee behavior, her animal welfare activism, and accusations of plagiarism in her latest book.

• By Henry Nicholls

A series of lawsuits attempting to establish legal personhood for chimpanzees has been unleashed in New York. While its backers cite precedents like slavery and gay rights in their pleadings, perhaps an example from the boardroom is in order.

• By Michael Todd