Apes are primates characterized by a lack of a tail, a broad chest, and a relatively larger brain size. Apes are definitively not native to South America; their natural range is restricted to Africa and Asia. South America is home to a diverse population of primates, all classified as monkeys. Understanding the biological and geographical history reveals why apes are absent from the Americas.
The Definitive Answer Apes Versus Monkeys
The fundamental difference between apes and monkeys lies in their scientific classification and anatomy. Apes belong to the Hominoidea superfamily, while monkeys are divided into Old World and New World groups. The most immediate physical distinction is that apes do not possess tails, whereas almost all monkey species possess one, often using it for balance or as a fifth limb.
Apes exhibit a distinct skeletal structure that accommodates brachiation, or swinging through trees. This movement is enabled by a highly flexible shoulder joint and a wide, flat chest, allowing for a more upright posture. Monkeys generally have narrower chests and smaller shoulders, tending to use a quadrupedal stance. The ape superfamily is split into the lesser apes (Hylobatidae), such as gibbons, and the great apes (Hominidae), which include orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans.
Geographical Distribution of Apes
All non-human apes are native exclusively to Africa and Asia, a distribution rooted in evolutionary history. The great apes—gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos—are found only in the tropical forests of Central and West Africa. The orangutan and all species of lesser apes, the gibbons, live solely in Southeast Asia.
The origin of all Simiiformes, the infraorder containing both monkeys and apes, is thought to be in the Old World, specifically Africa. Apes evolved on these continents after the separation of the landmasses. The vast oceans created geographic isolation that prevented their migration to the Americas, meaning no suitable land bridge ever connected South America to native ape habitats.
Primates Native to South America
The primates that thrive in South America are the New World Monkeys, belonging to the parvorder Platyrrhini, meaning “flat-nosed.” This group is distinguished by widely spaced nostrils that face outward, unlike the narrow, downward-facing nostrils of Old World monkeys and apes. They are an incredibly diverse group, with over 200 species and subspecies inhabiting the region.
A defining feature of many New World Monkeys is the prehensile tail, which is absent in apes and Old World Monkeys. Species like the howler monkey and spider monkey use this tail as a muscular, grasping fifth limb, providing a powerful advantage for navigating the dense forest canopy. This diversity, including the tiny pygmy marmoset, capuchins, and tamarins, highlights the distinct evolutionary path of South America’s primate population.