What is the Distinction Between a Monkey and an Ape?

Monkeys and apes share many similarities. They’re each primates, that are characterised as social animals with giant brains and arms that may grasp.

However what’s the distinction between a monkey and an ape? How will you inform them aside?

Tails

The best option to inform if it’s a monkey or an ape is by the presence of a tail. Monkeys have tails. Apes don’t. So in case you see a tail, it’s not an ape.

Instance: Have a look at the fantastic tails on these guereza colobuses. Ape? No. Monkey? Sure!

These colobuses have bushy white tails. Picture by pilesasmiles / iStock.com.

See the lengthy tail on this squirrel monkey because it leaps? Ape? No. Monkey? Sure!

This squirrel monkey has an extended tail. Picture by miroslav_1 / iStock.com.

Now take a look at the tail-less butt of this mountain gorilla. Ape? Sure.

No tail on this silverback mountain gorilla. Picture by VV-pics / iStock.com.

However wait! Some monkeys have teeny tiny stubs of tails that you would be able to’t see. 

Have a look at the butts of those Japanese macaques. Tail? Doesn’t seem like it. However is it a monkey? Sure!

Can’t see a tail on this Japanese macaque. Picture by Denise Johnson / iStock.com.

So in sure instances the place you possibly can’t see a tail, it might be tough to inform if it’s a monkey or an ape. However there are different distinguishing elements as properly.

Dimension

Apes are typically bigger than monkeys and have broader chests.

See the massive chest of the orangutan? Ape? Sure.

Bornean orangutan. Picture by Cede Prudente / iStock.com.

Location

Apes dwell in Africa and Asia. Monkeys dwell in Africa and Asia too, however in addition they dwell in Mexico, Central America and South America. No apes dwell within the Americas.

Instance: This spider monkey is native to Central America and South America. Monkey? Sure.

Colombian spider monkey. Picture by Willy Mobilo / iStock.com.

Intelligence

Each monkeys and apes are clever, however apes have a bigger brain-to-body ratio and have even higher intelligence. Actually, some apes may even talk in human signal language!

Instance: Apes, like this chimpanzee, are very subtle software customers, which is an indication of excessive intelligence. Nevertheless it must be famous that there are additionally a couple of monkeys who use instruments as properly.

This chimp is utilizing instruments to get fruit out of a field. Picture by Vincent_St_Thomas / iStock.com.

Extra Ape vs. Monkey Assets:

If you need to study extra about apes, see our articles: Bonobo, Bornean Orangutan, Chimpanzee, and Mountain Gorilla.

To study extra about monkeys, see our article: Guereza Colobus Monkey or view our archive of monkey weblog posts.