Monkeys and apes share many similarities. They are both primates, which are characterized as social animals with large brains and hands that can grasp.
But what’s the difference between a monkey and an ape? How can you tell them apart?
Tails
The easiest way to tell if it’s a monkey or an ape is by the presence of a tail. Monkeys have tails. Apes do not. So if you see a tail, it’s not an ape.
Example: Look at the glorious tails on these guereza colobuses. Ape? No. Monkey? Yes!
These colobuses have long bushy white tails. Photo by pilesasmiles / iStock.com.
See the long tail on this squirrel monkey as it leaps? Ape? No. Monkey? Yes!
This squirrel monkey has a long tail. Photo by miroslav_1 / iStock.com.
Now look at the tail-less butt of this mountain gorilla. Ape? Yes.
No tail on this silverback mountain gorilla. Photo by VV-pics / iStock.com.
But wait! Some monkeys have teeny tiny stubs of tails that you can’t see.
Look at the butts of these Japanese macaques. Tail? Doesn’t look like it. But is it a monkey? Yes!
Can’t see a tail on this Japanese macaque, but it is a monkey. Photo by Denise Johnson / iStock.com.
So in certain cases where you can’t see a tail, it may be tricky to tell if it’s a monkey or an ape. But there are other distinguishing factors as well.
Size
Apes are generally larger than monkeys and have broader chests.
See the large chest of the orangutan? Ape? Yes.
Bornean orangutan. Photo by Cede Prudente / iStock.com.
Location
Apes live in Africa and Asia. Monkeys live in Africa and Asia too, but they also live in Mexico, Central America and South America. No apes live in the Americas.
Example: This spider monkey is native to Central America and South America. Monkey? Yes.
Colombian spider monkey. Photo by Willy Mobilo / iStock.com.
Intelligence
Both monkeys and apes are intelligent, but apes have a larger brain-to-body ratio and have even greater intelligence. In fact, some apes can even communicate in human sign language!
Example: Apes, like this chimpanzee, are very sophisticated tool users, which is a sign of high intelligence. But it should be noted that there are also a few monkeys who use tools as well.
This chimp is using tools to get fruit out of a box. Photo by Vincent_St_Thomas / iStock.com.
Memorize the Different Kinds of Apes
If all else fails, you could actually just memorize the different kinds of apes because there aren’t that many.
The different kinds of apes are:
- Humans
- Bonobos / Chimpanzees
- Orangutans
- Gorillas
- Gibbons
So then if it’s an animal within that group, you know it’s an ape!
More Ape vs. Monkey Resources:
- Pan African Sanctuary Alliance: Monkeys vs. Apes: How Are They Different?
- Encyclopedia Britannica: What’s the Difference Between Monkeys and Apes?
If you would like to learn more about apes, see our articles: Bonobo, Bornean Orangutan, Chimpanzee, and Mountain Gorilla.
To learn more about monkeys, see our articles: Guereza Colobus Monkey and Squirrel Monkey or view our archive of monkey blog posts.
