Ape is a member of the group of animals that most closely resemble human beings. There are five main kinds of apes—bonobos, chimpanzees, gibbons, gorillas, and orangutans. All these animals have hairy, tailless bodies; longer arms than legs; and long fingers and toes. They also have large brains and rank as the most intelligent animals next to humans.
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Scientists believe apes and humans evolved (developed gradually) from a common ancestor. Apes resemble humans in body structure more than any other animals do. For example, they have similar bones, muscles, and organs. They also have similar genomes. A genome is the complete set of hereditary information for a particular organism. But humans also differ from apes in many ways. Humans walk on two legs and have longer legs and less body hair than apes. They also have a larger brain than apes. For more information on human beings and apes, see Human being (Physical characteristics).
Scientists divide the apes into two groups, based chiefly on size. Gibbons, the smallest apes, are called lesser apes and consist of many different species (kinds). Bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans are called great apes. Gorillas are the largest, followed by orangutans, chimpanzees, and bonobos. Each of the great apes consists of one species.
Differences between apes and monkeys.
Many people confuse apes with monkeys, but the two groups of animals differ in many ways. All monkeys have tails and smaller brains compared to their body size. The great apes are much larger and have longer fingers and toes. Apes are skillful tree climbers. On the ground, bonobos, chimpanzees, and gorillas walk in a semiupright posture, supporting the front part of their bodies on their knuckles. Orangutans walk infrequently on the ground, but when they do they support themselves on their fists. Gibbons spend almost all their time in trees but often walk on two legs on branches. By contrast, monkeys run and jump on all fours, both in trees and on the ground.
Way of life.
Apes live in tropical Africa and Asia. All apes prefer to eat fruit. When fruit is unavailable, however, gorillas rely on leafy plants, such as wild celery and bamboo shoots.
Gibbons live in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. They spend much time hanging from tree branches or swinging from branch to branch. Gibbons form family groups of a male and a female and their young.
Chimpanzees live in a wide range of habitats from western to eastern Africa. They are found in rain forests as well as dry grasslands, and they live both in trees and on the ground. Chimpanzee groups may vary from 10 to more than 50 members. Often, the females leave their group and join another.
Bonobos, also called pygmy chimpanzees, strongly resemble chimpanzees. Bonobos inhabit a section of rain forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Like chimpanzees, they live both in trees and on the ground. Bonobos live in small groups that are part of larger bonobo communities.
Gorillas live in the lowland forests of western and central Africa and in the mountain forests of eastern Africa. They normally make nests and sleep on the ground. Gorillas travel in groups of up to 20 individuals. Older males develop a patch of white or silvery hair on their backs and are called silverbacks. One or two of these males leads each group.
Orangutans live in the tropical forests of Borneo and Sumatra. They spend most of the time in trees, though large males are often seen on the ground. Orangutans usually travel alone, but a female and her offspring travel together.
The number of apes is decreasing because people hunt them for food and for pets and to sell to zoos and research centers. In addition, roads, farms, and the forest industry have destroyed much of the forests where apes once lived.
