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Apes vs. Monkeys: What’s the Difference? |
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Chimpanzees are nonhuman apes. ©iStock.com |
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Many people don't know the difference between apes and monkeys. Here are some simple ways to tell the difference.
(Note: Humans are also great apes, but we have not included them in the table below.)
| Monkeys-baboons, macaques, tamarins, marmosets, etc. |
Nonhuman Apes-chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, bonobos and gibbons |
| have tails (even if very short) |
don't have tails |
| are naturally found in Africa, Asia, Central America and South America |
are naturally found in Africa and Asia |
| have smaller bodies (<1-45 pounds) |
have larger bodies (13-215 pounds) |
| have a smaller body-to-brain ratio |
have a larger body-to-brain ratio |
| have a shorter lifespan (10-50 years) |
have a longer lifespan (35-60 years) |
| there are many species of monkeys, etc. |
there are few species of nonhuman apes, etc. |
| usually walk on all four limbs |
have more upright posture and the ability to walk on two legs |
While there are many differences between monkeys and apes, there are also many similarities:
Apes and monkeys are both considered primates.
All are considered intelligent, but more evidence has been presented regarding the intelligence of nonhuman apes. For example, nonhuman apes have learned to use human forms of communication such as American Sign Language and have been shown to use tools.
Both monkeys and apes have been shown to express human-like emotions and states such as happiness, fear, anxiety, boredom and depression.
Both have opposable thumbs and binocular vision.
Nearly half of all of the primate species in the world are threatened with extinction.
Some species of each group are used in research and testing throughout the world.
The following four photos are of primates that are considered monkeys.
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Macaques are monkeys. ©iStock.com |
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Baboons are monkeys. ©iStock.com |
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Marmosets are monkeys. ©iStock.com |
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Tamarins are monkeys. ©iStock.com |
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The following four photos are of primates considered nonhuman primates. Chimpanzees (pictured at the top of the page) are also considered nonhuman apes.
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Gorillas are nonhuman apes. ©iStock.com |
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Orangutans are nonhuman apes. ©iStock.com |
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Bonobos are nonhuman apes. ©iStock.com |
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Gibbons are nonhuman apes. ©iStock.com |
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