Ever wondered why chimps act so wary around water? Unlike us, they really steer clear of deep lakes, rivers, or even pools. Their bodies just aren’t made for floating or swimming, so water feels risky to them.
Chimps pack a lot of muscle and carry very little body fat. That combo makes them sink fast. Zoos actually use water moats for this reason—the chimps won’t cross because they just can’t swim.
Their instincts kick in hard around water. If they fall in, they’re in real danger of drowning.
Still, you’ll spot chimps near water in the wild sometimes. They might wade through a shallow stream or poke at puddles, but you won’t catch them swimming for fun. It’s a cautious curiosity, if anything.
If you’re curious why chimps are so uneasy around water, there’s more to dig into.
Why Chimps Are Afraid of Water
Chimps avoid water for a few reasons—some physical, some instinctive. How they live, both in the wild and in zoos, shapes how they act around water.
Getting into these details can really help explain why swimming just isn’t their thing.
Physical Traits Affecting Buoyancy
Chimps have dense, muscular bodies. All that muscle makes them heavy, so they sink.
They don’t have the body fat or shape that helps some animals float. Their limbs and bodies are built for climbing and walking, not paddling.
If they end up in deep water, their bodies just aren’t made to keep them afloat. That’s a real problem for them.
Instinctive Behaviors Around Water
Most chimps feel a deep, natural fear of water. This probably comes from an old survival instinct to avoid drowning or running into predators.
You might see a chimp splash around in a puddle or shallow stream, but swimming just doesn’t come naturally. Their ancestors lived in forests where deep water was rare, so they never really needed to swim.
When they get close to water, they act cautious. It’s a survival thing, not just a preference.
Water Aversion in Wild and Captive Environments
Wild chimps rarely need to go into deep water. They stick to dry ground or maybe a shallow pool.
Their environment doesn’t push them to learn swimming, so their fear sticks around. Zoos and sanctuaries use water moats to keep chimps from wandering off.
Those barriers work because chimps just can’t swim well. If they fall in, it’s dangerous.
A few chimps raised by people have learned to swim and even dive. But that’s rare and usually only happens with special training and a lot of care.
If you want to dive deeper, check out this study on chimpanzee swimming and diving.
Chimpanzees and Water Compared to Other Apes
Apes, including chimps, all act differently around water. Some can swim if someone teaches them, but others just avoid it.
Getting these differences straight can help you understand why chimps seem so anxious about water.
Differences Between Chimpanzees and Bonobos
Bonobos, which are closely related to chimps, handle water a bit differently. They live in places with more streams and rivers, so they’ve gotten better at moving through water.
Bonobos have a bit more natural buoyancy than chimps. That helps them float and makes water less scary.
Sometimes, bonobos will wade or even swim across shallow rivers. It just comes more naturally to them.
Chimps, though, usually hang out in drier spots. They don’t have the same body traits that make swimming easier, so they stay careful and mostly stick to land.
Swimming Ability Across Ape Species
Most great apes—like chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans—don’t swim on their own. They just don’t have the instinct or the body for it. That’s pretty different from humans, who can pick up swimming and even end up loving it.
Sometimes, though, apes raised by people figure out how to swim. Take Cooper, for example. He’s a chimpanzee who learned to swim and even dive. It’s proof that apes can pick up swimming with enough help, even if it’s not natural for them.
Here’s a quick look at how swimming shows up in different apes:
| Ape Species | Natural Swimming Ability | Swimming When Trained |
|---|---|---|
| Chimpanzees | No | Yes (rare, with training) |
| Bonobos | Limited (wading/swimming) | Not well documented |
| Gorillas | No | Some wading, avoid deep water |
| Orangutans | No | Some trained swimmers |
You’ll notice chimpanzees and the others usually steer clear of deep water. Their bodies and a pretty healthy fear of water keep them on solid ground.
If you’re curious, there’s more about how chimps and other apes deal with water here.
