Monkeys and apes might look similar (and they're both primates), but there are key differences between the two – from tails and size to intelligence and behaviour. Here’s how to tell them apart.
How to tell the difference between a monkey and an ape
The easiest way to distinguish between a monkey and an ape is to check whether it has a tail. Almost all monkeys have tails, whereas apes do not. Monkeys tend to have hairier faces than apes.
Monkeys are generally smaller than apes, with narrower chests. Apes are stockier, with larger chests that allow them to swing through trees. Monkeys can still swing through trees in the same way, but they are more suited to running across branches and up and down trees.
Although the difference can't be recognised on sight, apes also have an appendix (like humans) whereas monkeys do not.
Are apes smarter than monkeys?
Yes, apes are believed to be more intelligent than monkeys – with most species of ape able to use tools. They have also shown more sophisticated use of language and communication skills.
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How many ape species are there?
Humans, gibbons, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans and gorillas are all apes – but most other primates are monkeys (with the exception of lemurs, lorises and tarsiers).
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Top image: Chimpanzee (credit: Getty Images)