great ape

primate

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June 29, 2026

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Apes are tailless primates belonging to the superfamily Hominoidea. They are found in the tropical forests of Africa and Southeast Asia. Apes are distinguished from monkeys by their lack of a tail and their more complex brains. Human beings are zoologically classified as apes but are set apart by their larger brain size, advanced cognitive abilities, and bipedal gait.1

The great apes include chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gorillas. These apes are known for their intelligence, capable of self-recognition, abstract reasoning, and tool-making. They are closely related to humans and are now grouped with them in the family Hominidae. All nonhuman apes are classified as endangered species.123

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ape
…bonobo, and orangutan are called great apes in recognition of their comparatively large size and humanlike features; the gibbons are called lesser apes. The great apes are much more intelligent than monkeys and gibbons. Great apes, for example, are able to recognize themselves in mirrors (monkeys and other nonhumans cannot,…
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…bonobo, and orangutan are called great apes in recognition of their comparatively large size and humanlike features; the gibbons are called lesser apes. The great apes are much more intelligent than monkeys and gibbons. Great apes, for example, are able to recognize themselves in mirrors (monkeys and other nonhumans cannot,…
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human evolution
The anatomy of bipedalism
…anatomic differences between hominins and great apes. These differences are readily identified in fossils, particularly those of the pelvis and lower limbs.
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…anatomic differences between hominins and great apes. These differences are readily identified in fossils, particularly those of the pelvis and lower limbs.
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