As members of the exclusive primate family, we humans know just how special this mammalian order is. Even our most distant primate relatives share about 96 percent of their DNA with us, proving we may have more in common than we first realize.
Still, the taxonomic order can be further divided into 4 main groups that carry a variety of unique characteristics. Keep reading to discover the differences between great and lesser apes, monkeys, and prosimians.
What are Primates?
Before we dive into the world of differences, it’s best we establish some common ground. All primates are mammals with flexible five-fingered hands (most, but not all, with opposable thumbs), fingernails, and forward-facing eyes.
From there, most have large brains with cognitive abilities beyond other animals. While their brain power takes root quickly, most primates develop slowly, reaching maturity at a later point in life but also living a longer lifespan overall.
Most primates (apart from humans) live in tropical or subtropical regions, but there are plenty of exceptions to this rule. From semi-deserts to swamps, powdered mountaintops to rugged crags, primates can be found almost anywhere in the world.
Despite all these similarities, there are some key differences that divide the 505 primate species into 4 groups.
1. Great Apes
Great apes include humans as well as:
- Bonobos
- Chimpanzees
- Gorillas
- Orangutans
These are the larger, tailless primates across the globe, concentrating naturally in Asia and Africa. Physically, great apes have broader chests with shoulder joints designed to help them swing through trees. You won’t know from just looking at them, but great apes also have unique ownership over appendixes.
Generally, great apes have a higher cognitive ability than other primates. Some, like Koko the Gorilla, have even learned human sign language and further bridged the gap between inter-order communication. Tool use is almost exclusive to great apes, with most individuals showing some skill.
2. Lesser Apes (Gibbons)
Gibbons fall in between great apes and monkeys, earmarking their own grouping in the world of primates.
There are 20 species of gibbons scattered in the rainforests of Asiatic countries like (but not limited to) China, Laos, Myanmar, Sumatra, Thailand, and Borneo. While they are tailless like other apes, their complexity and size fall short of the great apes mentioned above.
Gibbons also have a lower sexual dimorphism and don’t make nests like most of the greats. Likely, their lineage went another direction from great apes about 18.6 million years ago, leading to different developments.
Most gibbons are monogamous animals, with rare instances of “divorce”, and they spend their lifetime with the same partner.
Perhaps more interesting, they have a unique “ball-and-socket” joint at their wrist better suited for biaxial movement while reducing stress on the shoulder joint and decreasing energy needs for brachiation. This crowns them the fastest tree-dwelling non flying mammals, allowing them to travel through trees as fast as 34 miles per hour.
3. Monkeys
If there’s one thing to remember it’s this: monkeys have tails, while apes do not. This isn’t the only difference, but it will get you the furthest. There are also far more monkey species than any apes, including:
- Baboons
- Capuchins
- Colobus Monkeys
- Howler Monkeys
- Mandrills
- Spider Monkeys
- Tamarins
Scientists usually split monkeys into two groups. Old World monkeys refer to those of Africa and Asia (like guenons) while New World monkeys are those found in Latin America (like squirrel monkeys)
When comparing them side-by-side with apes, you notice that monkeys are usually smaller (both in height and frame) and do not have an appendix. While apes have mostly bare faces, most monkeys feature plenty of fur on theirs.
Their most distinguishing feature is their prehensile tail, convenient for clinging to a branch while foraging. This allows many monkey species to live arboreal lives. If a species doesn’t have a prehensile tail, it’s probably still used it for balance when getting around on the ground.
4. Prosimians
Prosimians are all the species that came before (or relate to those that came before) monkeys and apes. This most primitive order includes:
- Lemurs
- Lorises
- Bushbabies (Galagos)
- Angwantibos
- Tarsiers (Contested)
While prosimians are still fairly intelligent, they fall short of their ape and monkey cousins. Instead, their evolutionary path sticks closer to primitive traits and has spent less effort on developing cognitive ability.
Most prosimians are avid hunters, spending their time in the trees tracking down insects and even small mammals. Because all prosimians outside of Madagascar are nocturnal animals, they do not compete with their simian relatives for resources.
While apes have their brains and monkeys have their tails, prosimians have unique “toilet claws” that they use for grooming. Their lifestyles are much simpler than other primates, and they favor solitude over group settings.
Despite this, humans still share an average of 96 percent of our DNA with our most distant primate relatives. This just goes to show that, despite all our differences, we’re much closer than we think.
