Apes, classified under the family Hominidae, are generally distinguished from monkeys by their larger body size, broader chests, and the complete absence of a tail. Monkeys, in contrast, are typically smaller and possess tails, which they often use for balance or grasping. While the majority of the ape diet is composed of plant matter, certain ape species regularly hunt and consume monkeys.
Which Apes Engage in Hunting
The most frequent and effective hunters among the apes are the chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), whose predation on smaller primates is a consistent and widely documented behavior. Chimpanzees are omnivores; while fruit and vegetation form the bulk of their diet, meat is a regular, if small, part of their caloric intake. The primary prey species for many chimpanzee communities is the red colobus monkey (Piliocolobus spp.).
These hunts can be so successful that they become a significant source of mortality for local monkey populations, sometimes hunting the red colobus nearly to extinction in their territory. Chimpanzees also target other arboreal species, including blue monkeys and mangabeys, depending on the region. Bonobos (Pan paniscus), the chimpanzee’s close relative, also engage in hunting behavior, though less frequently.
The Social and Nutritional Drivers of Predation
The consumption of meat provides a concentrated source of protein and fat, essential nutrients often scarce in a predominantly fruit and leaf-based diet. Although meat typically accounts for only about 6% of their total caloric intake, it is highly valued. These nutritional benefits are intertwined with complex social dynamics, particularly among male chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee hunting is frequently a cooperative, coordinated effort, especially when pursuing agile monkeys high in the forest canopy. Studies show that a hunt is more likely to occur when a larger number of males are present. The hunters often employ a division of labor, with some individuals acting as drivers to flush the prey, others as blockers to cut off escape routes, and the remainder as catchers. Following a successful capture, the meat is often shared nonrandomly, which strengthens social bonds and alliances among males.
Apes That Do Not Hunt Monkeys
While chimpanzees and bonobos hunt, this behavior is not universal across the entire ape family, as other species maintain primarily herbivorous diets. Gorillas, including the Western and Eastern species, are primarily folivores, specializing in eating leaves, shoots, and other tough vegetation. Gorillas may occasionally consume insects or other small invertebrates, but they do not engage in the organized predation of monkeys.
Orangutans, the great apes of Asia, are largely solitary and are predominantly frugivores, focusing their diet on fruit. They do not pursue monkeys. Similarly, gibbons, classified as lesser apes, are primarily focused on fruit and leaves, making them non-hunters of other primates. This dietary specialization highlights that the consumption of monkeys is a specific behavioral trait limited to certain African ape species, rather than a universal characteristic of all apes.