50 Amazing Apes Facts

Over 50 amazing fun facts about Apes including 25 fun facts about Apes especially for kids, plus learn more about where they live, what they eat, what they do, and so much more!

We hope you enjoy this list of amazing fun facts about Apes, and these fun facts about Apes help you learn a bit more about these amazing creatures.

Fun Facts About Apes – About Apes

An ape is a type of primate belonging to the family Hominidae. Apes are highly intelligent and share close evolutionary relationships with humans. They are characterized by their lack of a tail and their large brains relative to other primates.

There are two main groups of apes: the great apes and the lesser apes. The great apes include chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans, while the lesser apes comprise gibbons and siamangs.

Apes are known for their advanced cognitive abilities, complex social structures, and tool usage. They are generally larger and more robust than monkeys, with a more upright body posture. Apes primarily inhabit tropical forests in Africa and Southeast Asia.

While apes are often referred to as monkeys, they are distinct from monkeys. Monkeys belong to a different primate family called Cercopithecidae and have tails, whereas apes do not.

Fun Facts About Apes – 25 Fun Facts

Here are 25 fun facts about Apes:

Apes are the closest living relatives to humans, sharing a common ancestor with us around 6-8 million years ago.
There are four species of great apes: chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans.
The largest living ape is the male gorilla, which can weigh up to 440 pounds (200 kilograms).
Orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling mammals on Earth.
Chimpanzees and bonobos are the closest living relatives to humans, sharing approximately 99% of our DNA.
Apes are highly intelligent animals and have been observed using tools, solving complex problems, and displaying self-awareness.
Some apes, like bonobos and orangutans, have been observed using leaves as umbrellas or hats to protect themselves from rain or sun.
Ape infants learn by observing and imitating their parents or group members, similar to human children.
Apes have unique fingerprints, just like humans do.
The arms of apes are usually longer than their legs, enabling them to move efficiently through trees in a behavior called brachiation.
Gorillas are herbivores and primarily eat leaves, stems, shoots, and fruits.
The gibbons, or lesser apes, are the fastest and most agile of all primates, swinging through trees at speeds of up to 35 miles (56 kilometers) per hour.
Orangutans are the largest arboreal (tree-dwelling) mammals and can spend their entire lives without touching the ground.
Chimpanzees are known to use a variety of vocalizations, including distinct calls for food, danger, and communication with their group members.
Bonobos are known for their peaceful and cooperative social behavior, often resolving conflicts through sexual activity.
Apes have a lifespan similar to humans. Gorillas can live up to 40-50 years, while orangutans can live up to 50-60 years.
Apes have individual personalities and can exhibit a wide range of emotions, including joy, anger, sadness, and empathy.
Chimpanzees and bonobos share a common ancestor with humans that lived around 4-6 million years ago.
Orangutans are found only in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.
Gorillas live in social groups led by a dominant silverback male.
Apes have a high degree of social intelligence and engage in complex social interactions and relationships.
The ability of apes to recognize themselves in a mirror is considered an indication of self-awareness, and several species of apes have passed the mirror self-recognition test.
Apes have opposable thumbs and can use their hands skillfully to manipulate objects.
Apes communicate using a combination of vocalizations, facial expressions, body postures, and gestures.
The conservation status of apes is of great concern due to habitat loss, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Apes!

Fun Facts About Apes – 25 Fun Facts for Kids

Here are 25 fun facts about Apes that kids might enjoy:

Apes are excellent climbers and can swing through trees using their arms, just like superheroes!
Apes love to eat fruits, just like kids do. They also enjoy munching on leaves and stems.
Some apes, like chimpanzees, can make tools out of sticks to help them get food or solve problems.
Just like kids have unique fingerprints, so do apes. No two apes have the same fingerprints!
Apes are super strong. Gorillas, for example, are about 10 times stronger than an adult human.
Apes are really smart! They can learn tricks, solve puzzles, and even play video games.
Chimpanzees and bonobos are like BFFs. They are our closest relatives and share almost the same DNA as humans.
Apes love to play. They swing, wrestle, and chase each other for fun, just like kids on a playground.
Gorillas have a special chest-beating display that they use to show off their strength or when they feel excited.
Orangutans are great tree climbers. They use their long arms to swing from branch to branch, like acrobats!
Apes have big families. They live in groups called troops or bands and take care of each other’s babies.
Some apes, like bonobos, love to have tickle fights and laugh when they are tickled.
Gorillas build their beds every night. They make a comfy nest out of leaves and branches to sleep on.
Apes can make different sounds to communicate with each other, like grunts, hoots, or even screams!
Orangutans are great problem solvers. They can figure out how to reach food by using tools, like sticks or leaves.
Apes are great mimics. They can copy each other’s actions and even imitate human gestures.
Baby apes are super cute and cuddly. They love to cling onto their moms and ride on their backs.
Gorillas have a gentle side. They take care of their young ones and show them lots of love and affection.
Apes have a great sense of smell. They can use their noses to find yummy fruits or even to recognize their friends.
Chimpanzees are great explorers. They love to swing through the trees, climb rocks, and explore their surroundings.
Bonobos are peacekeepers. When they have conflicts, they often use hugs and kisses to make up and be friends again.
Orangutans are fantastic problem solvers. They can even make tools out of natural materials to help them with everyday tasks.
Apes love to take naps. They find a cozy spot, curl up, and have a little snooze in the afternoon.
Chimpanzees have great memories. They can remember where they hid their food or recognize other chimps they’ve met before.
Apes are superheroes of the jungle! They are strong, smart, and unique animals that we should protect and admire.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Apes!

Fun Facts About Apes – Where Apes Live

Apes have specific habitats where they naturally occur. In addition to the fun facts about Apes, here’s a breakdown of where different species of apes live:

Chimpanzees: Chimpanzees are found in the forests and woodlands of central and western Africa. They inhabit countries such as Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, and several others in the region.
Bonobos: Bonobos are also native to the forests of central Africa, specifically in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are found south of the Congo River.
Gorillas: Gorillas are primarily found in the forests of central and eastern Africa. There are two species of gorillas: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla.
- Eastern Gorillas: Eastern gorillas are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.
- Western Gorillas: Western gorillas inhabit countries such as Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria.
Orangutans: Orangutans are native to the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo, which are islands in Southeast Asia. They are found in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Gibbons: Gibbons, also known as lesser apes, are found in the forests of Southeast Asia, including countries like Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

The natural habitats of apes are being threatened by deforestation, habitat loss, and human activities. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these habitats and ensure the survival of apes in the wild.

Fun Facts About Apes – What Apes Eat

The diet of apes varies depending on the species and their specific habitats. In addition to the fun facts about Apes, here’s an overview of what different types of apes generally eat:

Chimpanzees: Chimpanzees have an omnivorous diet, which means they eat both plant-based and animal-based foods. They primarily consume fruits, leaves, seeds, flowers, and tree bark. They also eat insects, such as termites and ants, and occasionally hunt small mammals like monkeys or birds.
Bonobos: Bonobos have a primarily herbivorous diet, consisting mostly of fruits, leaves, and other vegetation. They consume a variety of fruits, including figs, along with leaves, seeds, flowers, and tree bark. Bonobos do eat some insects and occasionally small vertebrates.
Gorillas: Gorillas are mainly herbivorous. They primarily eat leaves, stems, shoots, and fruits from a variety of plants in their habitats. Gorillas are folivores, which means they consume a lot of leaves. They also eat other plant parts like bamboo, flowers, and bark. Gorillas do not typically eat meat, but they may consume small insects occasionally.
Orangutans: Orangutans are primarily frugivorous, meaning they have a fruit-based diet. They consume a wide variety of fruits, including figs, durians, and various other tropical fruits. Orangutans also eat leaves, flowers, bark, and occasionally insects and small vertebrates like birds or lizards.
Gibbons: Gibbons are primarily frugivorous, with fruits making up a significant portion of their diet. They consume various types of fruits, along with leaves, flowers, and sometimes seeds or insects.

The specific dietary preferences and availability of food sources may vary depending on the season and the particular region where apes live. Apes have specialized adaptations and digestive systems that enable them to extract nutrients from the foods they eat in their respective habitats.

Fun Facts About Apes – How Apes Behave

Apes engage in a wide range of activities and behaviors that contribute to their survival, social interactions, and overall well-being. In addition to the fun facts about Apes, here are some key things that apes do:

Feeding: Apes spend a significant amount of time foraging and feeding. They search for food sources such as fruits, leaves, bark, seeds, flowers, and sometimes insects or small animals, depending on the species. Feeding patterns may vary, but apes typically consume multiple meals throughout the day.
Socializing: Apes are highly social animals and engage in complex social interactions. They form social groups, such as troops or bands, where they communicate, bond, and establish hierarchies. Socializing includes grooming each other, playing, hugging, kissing, and engaging in various body gestures to maintain social relationships.
Tool Use: Certain species of apes, particularly chimpanzees and orangutans, are known for their tool-using abilities. They create and use tools for various purposes, such as extracting termites from mounds, cracking open nuts, or reaching food that is otherwise inaccessible. Tool use showcases their problem-solving skills and adaptability.
Communication: Apes communicate with each other using a combination of vocalizations, body postures, facial expressions, and gestures. They have a repertoire of distinct calls and sounds that convey different meanings, such as warning signals, food requests, or greetings.
Play: Like human children, young apes engage in play behavior to learn and develop their skills. Play can involve wrestling, chasing, swinging, and mock fights. It helps them practice social interactions, physical abilities, and problem-solving.
Nest Building: Some apes, like gorillas and orangutans, construct nests for resting and sleeping. They gather leaves, branches, and other materials to create comfortable and secure nests in trees or on the ground.
Exploration and Travel: Apes are curious creatures and engage in exploratory behaviors. They traverse their habitats, climb trees, swing from branches, and investigate their surroundings. Traveling allows them to find food sources, establish territory, and interact with other groups.
Reproduction and Parenting: Apes have complex mating and reproductive behaviors. They form social bonds, engage in courtship displays, and mate with selected individuals. Females have gestation periods, give birth to live offspring, and provide care and protection to their young ones, which involves nursing, carrying, and teaching them essential skills.
Problem Solving: Apes demonstrate problem-solving abilities. They use their intelligence to overcome challenges, find food, navigate their environments, and adapt to changes. This includes using tools, learning from observation, and employing creative strategies.

These activities highlight the active and dynamic lives of apes, showcasing their cognitive abilities, social interactions, and adaptations to their natural environments.

Fun Facts About Apes – Anatomy of Apes

The anatomy of apes is characterized by several distinct features that differentiate them from other primates. In addition to the fun facts about Apes, here’s a description of some key anatomical features of apes:

Skeletal Structure: Apes have a well-developed skeletal structure that allows for their unique modes of locomotion. They have a relatively upright body posture compared to other primates, with a spine that is adapted to maintain balance while standing or walking on two legs.
Limbs: Apes have long and powerful limbs, especially their arms, which are longer than their legs. This limb proportion allows for efficient brachiation (swinging from branch to branch) and climbing. Their limbs also possess a high degree of mobility and flexibility.
Hands and Feet: Apes have grasping hands and feet with opposable thumbs and big toes. These adaptations enable them to grip and manipulate objects, making them highly dexterous. Their hands and feet have ridges on the skin called friction ridges, similar to fingerprints in humans.
Lack of Tail: Unlike many other primates, apes lack a tail. This absence of a tail is a distinguishing characteristic that sets them apart.
Cranial Capacity: Apes have relatively large brains compared to other primates, especially in relation to their body size. This increased cranial capacity contributes to their advanced cognitive abilities and complex behaviors.
Facial Features: Apes typically have a prominent and expressive face with distinct features. They possess a broad nose, large eyes, and well-developed facial muscles that allow for a wide range of facial expressions.
Teeth: Apes have a varied dental formula, but their dentition generally consists of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Their teeth are adapted to their specific diets, with some species having specialized teeth for crushing or grinding plant material.
Torso and Chest: Apes have a robust and muscular torso, providing strength for climbing and supporting their body weight. In male gorillas, a fully matured silverback, or dominant male, develops a prominent chest and broad shoulders.
Adaptations for Brachiation: Apes possess specific adaptations that facilitate brachiation, such as long arms, strong shoulder joints, and flexible shoulder blades. These adaptations allow them to swing efficiently from branch to branch.
Vocal Apparatus: Apes have a vocal apparatus that enables them to produce a range of vocalizations. While their vocal abilities are not as diverse as those of humans, they can produce various calls, grunts, hoots, and screams to communicate with others.

These anatomical features contribute to the remarkable abilities and characteristics of apes, allowing them to thrive in their natural environments and exhibit complex behaviors.

Other Interesting Things About Apes – Similar Animals

Several animals share similarities with apes in terms of their evolutionary history, behavior, or physical characteristics. In addition to the fun facts about Apes, here are a few examples of animals that are like apes:

Monkeys: Monkeys are primates that are closely related to apes. While they are not classified as apes, they share some common traits such as grasping hands and feet, opposable thumbs, and complex social structures. However, monkeys generally have a more arboreal lifestyle and smaller body size compared to apes.
Humans: Humans are the closest relatives to apes. Humans and apes share a common ancestor and belong to the same biological family called Hominidae. Humans and apes share many anatomical and genetic similarities, including a large brain, complex social behavior, and the ability to use tools.
Lemurs: Lemurs are primates that are native to the island of Madagascar. While lemurs are not closely related to apes, they exhibit some similar characteristics such as forward-facing eyes, grasping hands, and diverse social behaviors. However, lemurs have unique adaptations to their island habitat and differ significantly from apes in terms of body structure and size.
Gibbons: Gibbons, also known as lesser apes, are small arboreal primates found in Southeast Asia. They share some similarities with great apes, such as brachiation (swinging through trees) and the absence of a tail. However, gibbons have a smaller body size, different social structure, and distinct vocal abilities compared to great apes.
Baboons: Baboons are a type of Old World monkey found in Africa and parts of Arabia. While they are not classified as apes, they exhibit some similar social behaviors and complex social structures. Baboons are known for their distinctive faces, powerful jaws, and hierarchical societies.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Apes!

Check out these Other Cool Animal Fun Facts

Dolphin, Dog, Cat, Horse, Chicken, Fish, Bear, Birds, Sharks, Snake, Penguins, Giraffes, Dinosaurs, Chameleons, Pigeons, Pelicans, Iguanas, Koalas, Black Panthers. Owls, Bears, Zebras, Bees, Pigs, Lions, Turkeys, Gray Wolf, Spiders, Rabbits, Ducks, Deer, Cows, Monkeys, Lobsters

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Apes!

Browse All Riddle Categories

Browse All Illusions