Great apes are primates with several shared biological traits. They possess large, complex brains relative to their body size, broad chests, and shoulders that allow for full arm rotation. A feature separating apes from monkeys is the absence of a tail; they have a coccyx, or tailbone, instead.
These animals rely more on vision than smell, and they have padded digits with fingerprints. The distinction between “great” and “lesser” apes is size. Great apes are substantially larger and more robustly built than their smaller relatives, the gibbons.
The Great Ape Family
The great ape family includes four types: orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos. Orangutans, known for their long, reddish-brown hair, are native to the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia. There are two distinct species, with males being significantly larger than females, and they are the world’s largest tree-dwelling animals.
Native to the forests of central sub-Saharan Africa, gorillas are the largest of all primates. They are divided into two species, the Eastern Gorilla and the Western Gorilla, each with its own subspecies. These primates are known for their powerful build, black fur, and in the case of mature males, a swath of silver hair on their backs.
Also found in Africa are chimpanzees and bonobos, two closely related species that inhabit a range of environments from rainforests to savannas. Chimpanzees are found across West and Central Africa. Bonobos are found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are more slender than chimpanzees. Modern humans are classified within this same family, Hominidae, sharing a recent common ancestor with these other African apes.
Complex Social Lives
The social structures of great apes are varied and intricate. Adult male orangutans, for instance, lead largely solitary lives and interact with females primarily for mating. Females, in contrast, travel with their dependent offspring, forming the most stable social unit.
Gorillas live in stable, cohesive family groups led by a dominant adult male known as a silverback. This male provides protection and leadership for a group that includes multiple adult females and their young. Social bonds are maintained through proximity and shared activities, with the silverback serving as the central figure.
Chimpanzees and bonobos live in fission-fusion societies. Their communities can number over 100 individuals, but they are rarely all together at once. Instead, they form smaller, temporary subgroups that change in size and composition throughout the day, allowing them to adapt to food availability and social dynamics. While chimpanzee societies are often male-dominated and hierarchical, bonobo society is notably different, with females holding strong social influence and using social bonds to form powerful alliances.
Remarkable Cognitive Abilities
Great apes demonstrate high intelligence through problem-solving and tool use. Chimpanzees in the wild are tool users, employing sticks to extract termites from mounds, using stones to crack open nuts, and fashioning leaf-sponges to soak up water. Orangutans have been observed using leaves as umbrellas to shield themselves from rain and as gloves to handle spiny fruits.
This intelligence extends to the capacity for cultural transmission, where specific skills and knowledge are passed down from one generation to the next. Young apes learn by observing their mothers and other group members, leading to distinct cultural traditions in different populations. For example, the specific techniques for nut-cracking among chimpanzees can vary from one community to another, a sign of learned behavior.
Their communication abilities are also highly developed, using a wide array of vocalizations, facial expressions, and body postures. These signals convey complex information about food, danger, and social status. In research environments, great apes have learned to use human sign language, demonstrating a capacity for symbolic communication and abstract thought.
Conservation and Human Impact
The survival of great ape populations is under severe threat, with most species classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered. The main drivers of their decline are directly linked to human activities. Habitat loss is a major factor, as forests are cleared for agriculture, logging, and mining operations. This destruction fragments their homes, isolating populations and reducing their access to food.
Poaching is another danger. Gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos are hunted for the illegal bushmeat trade, while infant apes, particularly orangutans and chimpanzees, are captured for the illicit pet trade. This practice not only decimates their numbers but also disrupts their complex social structures.
Because of their close genetic relationship to humans, great apes are susceptible to human diseases. Pathogens that might cause only mild illness in humans, such as respiratory viruses, can be lethal to ape populations. The increasing overlap between human settlements and ape habitats elevates the risk of disease transmission.