Author
Home > Veterinary > What is the Difference Between Apes and Monkeys?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Apes and Monkeys?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Apes and monkeys are both primates, but they differ in several aspects, including appearance, geography, and intelligence. Some key differences between apes and monkeys are:

  1. Appearance: Almost all monkeys have tails, while apes do not. Apes are generally larger with wider chests and almost naked faces, while monkeys are smaller with more narrow chests and hair on their faces.
  2. Geography: Monkeys are found in Africa, Asia, and Central & South America, while apes only live in Africa and Asia.
  3. Intelligence and Behavior: Apes are generally more intelligent than monkeys. They exhibit higher cognitive abilities, including tool use and the ability to learn human-made languages. Monkeys, on the other hand, have simpler communication systems and less complex cognitive abilities.

In summary, the main differences between apes and monkeys are their appearance (tails, size, and facial features), geographical distribution, and cognitive abilities. By considering these factors, you can distinguish between monkeys and apes.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Apes and Monkeys?
  • Comparative Table: Apes vs Monkeys

    • Comparative Table: Apes vs Monkeys

    Here is a table summarizing the differences between apes and monkeys:

    Feature Apes Monkeys
    Tail No tail (with some exceptions) Tail present in almost all species
    Body Size Generally larger, with broad chests Smaller, with narrow chests
    Body Shape Skeleton more similar to humans Diverged from human evolutionary line long before apes
    Geography Apes are found only in Africa and Asia Monkeys live in Central and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia
    Intelligence Generally more intelligent, with some species exhibiting tool use Less intelligent compared to apes
    Communication Apes have more advanced cognitive and language skills Monkeys communicate through sound and body language
    Appendix Apes have an appendix, monkeys do not Not easily distinguishable without dissection

    Apes and monkeys are both primates, but they belong to different subcategories and exhibit distinct differences in appearance, geography, and intelligence.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.