Contrary to popular belief, the chimpanzee is not the only animal closest to Homo sapiens.

There is another primate, the bonobo, which is genetically related to man in a percentage similar to that of chimpanzees: 98.7% of the DNA.

Chimpanzees are most popular because they were at the forefront of the first scientific findings on tool use by animals.

Chimpanzees and bonobos are able to solve problems with logic, use tools, communicate, work in teams, use medicinal plants...

However, there is a fundamental difference: chimpanzee societies are patriarchal, while bonobo societies are matriarchal and much more harmonious.

Interestingly, human societies tend to be patriarchal in times of conflict and matriarchal in times of prosperity.

Bonobo males are as aggressive or more aggressive than chimpanzees, but they think long and hard before attacking a female.

They stick together and join forces to stop an aggressive male. And they try to resolve the conflict with caresses. “Make love and not war”.

Chimpanzees feed more eagerly and aggressively, bonobos gather around food, share it and make it a social act.

Chimpanzees start a puzzle almost eagerly, while bonobos watch the human before starting to try to get a clue.

In the end, it is as if humans share competitiveness with chimpanzees and mischievousness with bonobos. A good mix.