What is a bonobo, exactly?

Question

And why do people say it is so promiscuous?

Answer 1

A species of Quail.

Answer 2

A bonobo is a type of primate, This should clarify  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo

Answer 3

Well some people, some zoologist, primatologist, and particularly primate behavorist keep insisting this is a seperate species of chimpaneze.  However, all they have to base this on is a few behavioral characteristics and a few populations differences.  Genetically they are the same.  A bonobo can breed and produce viable young with any chimpaneze and of course visa versa.  As far as many biologist and zoologist are concerned, that means they are indeed the same species.  Just that they are a isolated population.  However, they were a part of the overall population at one time.

Only humans are promiscuous.  Within the bonobo trible it seems that s*x has taken the place of other types of dominace behavior.  It has erroroniously been reported that bonobos are mating all the time, are homosexully, pediphiles (bonobophiles?) and incestual.  Looks like they might be human huh.  When a person not familiar with animals and animal behavior sees certain things they almost automatically think it has something to do with s*x.  This is simply not the case.  What may appear as a sexual act may actual be a form of domiance behavior.

We humans have a long long way to go learning about our own behavior relative to stress, competition and survival.  We have no buisness attempting to decifer animal behavior in human terms.  Just flat wont work.  When an ethologist can explain animal behavior without having to use terms that humanize an animal, I listen.  However, those folks are few.  Unfortunately, few zoologist or ethologist are used to narrate all the terrible nature and wildlife shows.   Most narration is wrought with anthropomorphism.  Makes me ill sometimes.  I usually turn off the sound and just watch the pictures.

I am not bashing all narration, by the way.  I think Sir David Attenborough did a fantastic job.  But he is an exceptional individual.