Ape or Monkey - What’s the Difference?

Summary

This table shows you the most important differences between apes (such as chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutan) and other monkeys (such as suqirrel monkeys, and lemurs) at a glance.

Great Apes

• Tail: none
• Body: large
• Weight: heavy
• Brain: large
• Arms: longer than legs
• Movement: can swing on branches
• Walking: can walk on two legs for short distances
• Tool use: yes

Other Primates

• Tail: often; long
• Body: small
• Weight: light
• Brain: small
• Arms: shorter or same length as legs
• Flexibility: can't swing on branches
• Locomotion: mostly on four legs
• Tool use: no

Lion Tamarin (Monkey)

Lion Tamarin - Photo: Eric Gevaert/Shutterstock

• Table of Contents
• 0. Introduction
• 1. Size and Weight
• 2. Which Primates Can Swing?
• 3. Anatomy and Appearance
• 4. Which Primates Can Walk?
• 5. Which Primates Use Tools?
• 6. Summary

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