Quick answer
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) typically live around 40–50 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
Key takeaway
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) typically live around 40–50 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
Chimpanzee lifespan in the wild
Field and museum records place most chimpanzees near 40–50 years in the wild. That figure blends ages at death across regions, so treat it as a planning range. Body size (30–60 kg (66–130 lb)) and risk lifestyle both shape the average.
What shortens chimpanzee lives
Predation, infectious disease, injury, food shortages, and habitat fragmentation cut survival. Roadkill and human conflict matter wherever chimpanzees share landscapes with people.
What helps chimpanzees live longer
Connected habitat, low chronic stress, and reliable food support longevity. For captive or domestic relatives, species-correct diet and veterinary screening matter more than generic “pet” advice.
Chimpanzee life stages
Juveniles usually face higher mortality than prime adults. Older animals may move less, show dental wear, or lose body condition — useful signs when ageing chimpanzees in the field.
Diet and hunting
Chimpanzees are omnivores that eat mostly fruit, leaves, seeds, and insects, but they also hunt cooperatively, sometimes targeting monkeys. They are powerful for their size, with an upper-body strength well beyond that of a human, which they use for climbing and display.
Conservation
Chimpanzees are Endangered, with populations falling due to deforestation, the bushmeat trade, the illegal pet trade, and diseases that can pass between humans and apes. Protecting large areas of forest and reducing poaching are essential to their survival.
Sources
Chimpanzee FAQs
How long do chimpanzees live?
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) typically live around 40–50 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
What is the scientific name of the chimpanzee?
Pan troglodytes — used in research and conservation listings for chimpanzees.
What do chimpanzees eat?
Chimpanzees are described as omnivores, with seasonal and regional variation in Tropical forest and wooded savanna.
Where do chimpanzees live?
They are associated with Tropical forest and wooded savanna. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of chimpanzees?
Listed in our guides as Endangered. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.