chimpanzee vs Lion

Pan troglodytes compared with Panthera leo

Key Differences

• chimpanzee is Endangered while Lion is Vulnerable.
• chimpanzee is omnivore while Lion is carnivore.
• Lion is 3.8x heavier than chimpanzee.
• chimpanzee lives longer (45 years vs 15 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	chimpanzee	Lion
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Primates (Primates)	Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Family	Hominidae (Great Apes)	Felidae (Cats)
Genus	Pan (Chimpanzees)	Panthera (Big Cats)
Species	Pan troglodytes	Panthera leo

Evolutionary Relationship

chimpanzee and Lion share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

chimpanzee

EN — Endangered

Population: ~300.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Lion

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~23.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	chimpanzee	Lion
Diet	Omnivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	45 years	15 years
Average Length	1.2 m	2.5 m
Average Weight	50.0 kg	190.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

chimpanzee

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Cameroon, Congo (DRC), Guinea, Tanzania, and Uganda. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Lion

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 7 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Neotropic and Oceanian realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

chimpanzee

Humanity's closest living relative, sharing approximately 98.7% of DNA, chimpanzees inhabit tropical forests and savanna woodlands across central and West Africa. Highly intelligent, social primates that use and make tools, display cultural traditions, and communicate with rich vocalizations including the distinctive pant-hoot. Endangered, with populations declining due to deforestation, bushmeat hunting, and disease transmission from humans.

Lion

The largest wild cat in Africa, lions reach up to 250 kg and are the only social felids, living in prides across sub-Saharan savannas and grasslands. Males are distinguished by their iconic manes. As apex predators, they regulate herbivore populations and maintain ecosystem balance. Listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.