A mother chimpanzee carries her baby on her back as they travel on the ground in the Congo, west africa.

On the Back

Congo, Africa

Chimpanzee mothers are highly attentive to their infants, carrying them constantly for the first several months and nurturing them for up to five years. The mother provides food, grooming, and teaches the infant essential skills for survival before they are weaned and start to become more independent.

The infant begins to explore more independently and may start to walk around at about six months old. Around one year of age, the baby will start riding on its mother's back. Weaning typically occurs between ages three and five, but the infant may still breastfeed for up to five years. Even after weaning, the juvenile chimpanzee remains close to its mother for several more years, learning important social and survival skills from her and other group members.

Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.

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