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Illustration comparing the body plans of representative anthropoids, showing a male western lowland gorilla, a male human, a male bonobo, a female Bornean orangutan, and male and female northern white-cheeked gibbons, all labeled and depicted to scale. Female orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) with reddish-brown fur sits on tree branches in a lush rainforest in Borneo. gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)
The video thumbnail image shows two black and white photos of monkey and ape heads, surrounded by blue and pink circles.
A gorilla sits on a tree trunk with a blue arrow pointing to it. Large text reads, "What makes apes so special?" with trees and zoo habitat in the background.
Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) Diagram tracing the evolutionary split of humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas over the past 12 million years, with skull illustrations for key hominin species and African great apes, and branching lines showing divergence points.
Why don't humans have tails?
A mother orangutan hangs from a tree branch while her baby clings to her side in the forest of Mount Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. A siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) with black fur sits on rocky ground, facing left, with large rocks in the background.
At a Glance
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ape summary
Quizzes
Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Animals, mammals.
Ultimate Animals Quiz
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters
Animal Group Names
Lion (panthera leo)
Deadliest Animals Quiz
Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)
Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz
Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)
Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz
Related Questions
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Videos

Monkeys vs. Apes: What's the Difference?
When in doubt, check for a tail.
Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
The Social Lives of Apes
Apes have unique personalities and preferences—just like humans.
Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Why don't humans have tails?
Scientists have narrowed the answer down to a single genetic mutation.
Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
How evolution reveals the differences between humans and apes
Learn about human evolution.
Video: Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © anne sarfina agustina dimyadi/Dreamstime.com

Images

species of apes
Representative apes (superfamily Hominoidea).
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) in a tree
Orangutans (Pongo) have demonstrated cognitive abilities such...
© guenterguni—E+/Getty Images
gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)
The gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) is the largest of the apes and one of...
Kenneth W. Fink/Root Resources
Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)
Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) inhabit inhabits large portions of the...
© guenterguni/iStock.com
human evolution
The divergence of humans and great apes from a common ancestor.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
orangutan
Some apes spend part of their time in trees and part on the ground. Orangutans, like...
© PLOO Galary/Shutterstock.com
siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus)
Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus).
© MaPaSa/Shutterstock.com
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