Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Chimpanzees and bonobos have human-like friend circles, study finds

Chimpanzees and bonobos have human-like friend circles, study finds - Date: - May 31, 2026 - Source: - Utrecht University - Summary: - Great apes appear to build friendships much like humans do. By studying grooming behavior, researchers discovered that chimpanzees and bonobos form close inner circles along with wider networks of weaker social connections. Chimpanzees focus on a few trusted partners and become more selective with age, while bonobos maintain a more egalitarian social style.