The animal kingdom is full of specialized terminology, known as collective nouns, which often describe the behavior or appearance of a group of animals. When considering primates, the question of what to call a group of apes does not have a single, simple answer. The correct collective noun depends on the specific species of ape and the historical tradition being referenced. Understanding the proper term begins with recognizing the fundamental biological distinctions of these highly intelligent primates.
Apes vs. Monkeys: Defining the Difference
The most significant distinction separating apes from monkeys is the absence of a tail in all ape species. Monkeys nearly always possess a tail, which can sometimes be prehensile. Apes also exhibit a markedly different skeletal structure, featuring a broader chest and flexible shoulder joints. These anatomical differences allow apes to engage in brachiation, the specialized form of locomotion where they swing arm-over-arm through tree branches. Monkeys are primarily quadrupedal, moving along the tops of branches on all four limbs. Apes, which include the great apes (hominids) and the lesser apes (gibbons), typically have a larger body size and a greater brain-to-body size ratio than most monkey species.
Collective Nouns for Great Apes
The collective nouns for the largest members of the ape family, the Great Apes (Hominidae), are varied. The most broadly applied term is a shrewdness of apes, often used generally when the species is not specified. More specific and commonly used terms exist for the individual genera. A group of gorillas, for instance, is frequently called a band or a troop, reflecting their close-knit social structures and terrestrial movements. Chimpanzees and bonobos, which form complex societies, are typically referred to as a troop or a community. Orangutans are the most solitary of the great apes; while usually observed alone, their groups are occasionally called a buffoonery of orangutans.
Collective Nouns for Lesser Apes
Lesser apes, comprising the gibbons and siamangs (family Hylobatidae), are differentiated by their smaller size and predominantly arboreal lifestyle. These primates typically form much smaller groups compared to their great ape relatives. A group of gibbons is most often referred to as a family or a pair, since they are one of the few primate species that form long-term, monogamous pair bonds. Gibbons and siamangs are famous for their loud, elaborate duets, which they use to mark their territory at dawn. These vocalizations, often described as a dawn chorus, have led to the descriptive collective noun of a singing of gibbons.
The History Behind Collective Noun Terminology
The seemingly arbitrary collective nouns for animals trace their origins to medieval Europe. These terms, often called “terms of venery” or “nouns of assembly,” were not developed by scientists observing animal behavior. Instead, they were codified by the English aristocracy in the 15th century. The primary source for many of these terms is The Book of Saint Albans. The creation of these unusual and fanciful terms served a social purpose, marking the user as educated and separating the gentry from common folk. The term shrewdness for apes, which means clever or astute, was likely a reflection of the animal’s perceived cleverness rather than a formal biological grouping. This historical context explains why collective nouns often feel disconnected from the animal’s actual ecology.