Ape, baboon, chimpanzee, gibbon, gorilla, monkey …

Apes (Hominoidea) are a group of primates that includes 22 species.

Great apes include chimpanzees (2 species), gorillas (2 species) and orangutans (2 species).

Lesser apes include gibbons (16 species).

The term “monkey” used to be the same as ‘’ape’’ but taxonomists now classify monkeys as simians (i.e. not hominids). In terms of currently recognized taxa, monkeys are non-hominoid simians. There are about 260 species.

Baboons are also non-hominids. They are in the genus Papio (there are 5 species, but this may be under-represented).

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

Vervet Monkey