# INCORRECT: can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [November 13, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411 "2009-11-13T04:27:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![volatileacid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a8b319/32.png) [@volatileacid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/volatileacid)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411/1 "2009-11-13T04:27:11Z")
Your article cites a study that was reviewed and considered to be grossly exaggerated by the scientist who conducted the test back in the early 1900’s. On a review of strength, it was found that they in fact have twice as much strength as us - not 7-8 times more strength. See: > **[How strong is a chimpanzee, really?](https://slate.com/technology/2009/02/how-strong-is-a-chimpanzee-really.html)** > > After last week's chimpanzee attack in Connecticut, in which an animal named Travis tore off the face of a middle-aged woman, primate experts... Which refers to the flawed study you refer to. Cheers. ETA: Link to column: [Can a 90-lb. chimp clobber a full-grown man? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2/can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man) ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2009, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411/2 "2009-11-13T07:05:00Z")
Interesting Slate article. But to be fair, Cecil does enter this caveat in the column before talking of the studies on chimp strength: > [@](#): > > It’s a lot easier to get a chimp in roller skates than it is to get him to pump iron — hence, most of the data on chimp strength is anecdotal and decidedly unscientific. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411/3 "2009-11-15T15:52:13Z")
This news account answers the question definitively. Chimps are incredibly strong and can be deadly! > [@](#): > > While her friend was being attacked, Herold was unable to pull the primate off. She then called 911 before stabbing the chimp with a butcher knife and hitting him with a shovel. Neither fazed Travis, who police said had been like a child to Herold. > > A Stamford police officer later shot the chimp multiple times after the primate went after him inside a police cruiser, Conklin said. Travis returned to the house, where police found him dead. Conklin estimated that Travis weighed close to 200 pound > **[Chimp attack 911 call: 'He's ripping her apart' - CNN.com](https://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/17/chimpanzee.attack/index.html)** > > A Connecticut woman pleaded for police to "please hurry" to save a friend from an attack by a pet chimpanzee, according to emotional 911 recordings released Tuesday by Stamford police. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411/4 "2009-11-15T16:16:18Z")
I daresay he was sufficiently clobbered. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411/5 "2009-11-15T16:34:51Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > This news account answers the question definitively. Chimps are incredibly strong and can be deadly! Just for emphasis, the chimp in that story weighed nearly 200 lbs, not 90. I see that bit of information in your quote, but it bears repeating. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411/6 "2009-11-15T20:41:40Z")
This has been brought to Cecil’s attention. I dunno if he’ll want to revisit a column that he wrote, what, 33 years ago? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411/7 "2009-11-15T20:58:27Z")
I was surprised at the chimps power too. I knew orangutans are extremely powerful. The one that appeared in Every Way But Loose with Clint Eastwood is a good example. But a chimp like in the _Tarzan_ movies? Of course, a lot of people don’t realize the Tarzan chimp was young. They get big as adults. Cecil’s comments were correct. ---
**Author:** ![Kenyth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kenyth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenyth)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411/8 "2009-11-25T15:09:35Z")
A 200 lb. primate is probably about as strong as a 300+ lb. human weighlifter. Not to mention the fact that primates have very powerful jaws and large, strong, teeth and nails. A very dangerous opponent to fight! The owner was a 70 year old woman. She didn’t have a prayer of hurting this animal with anything short of a firearm. ---
**Author:** ![kfraser34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@kfraser34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kfraser34)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411/9 "2009-11-25T18:29:29Z")
I think its worth pointing out that the chimp mentioned in the news article was probably out of shape, as far as chimps are concerned… I do not think it would be even remotely possible a human being to match the strength of a 200 lb wild chimp… No matter how much iron they pumped, with or without Steroids… ---
**Author:** ![Kenyth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kenyth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenyth)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2009, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incorrect-can-a-90-lb-chimp-clobber-a-full-grown-man/517411/10 "2009-11-25T20:11:41Z")
> [@kfraser34](#): > > I think its worth pointing out that the chimp mentioned in the news article was probably out of shape, as far as chimps are concerned… I do not think it would be even remotely possible a human being to match the strength of a 200 lb wild chimp… No matter how much iron they pumped, with or without Steroids… As far as physical strength of the arms and hands, no. Genetics works against us there. Our wrists and hands simply can’t compare. Well trained humans can be amazingly strong, but we have certain weak points. Our hands and wrists are relatively weak and fragile in comparison to a primate’s. Our arms are smaller and weaker relative to our body than primate’s. Our legs are much stronger though. We have no teeth or biting power to compare with a primate’s. We do however, possess superior intelligence and tactics, as well as tools. A simple spear, knife, or stout club would make a human much more dangerous to contend with. On the ground in an open environment, a human would have a slight advantage. In a close environment with things to climb on, the chimp would. Since the chimp would be lighter in comparison to it’s strength, it would be more agile and quick.