Ape

Ape is a term used for members of the superfamily Hominoidea, a group of tailless primates within the order Primates. In modern taxonomy, it includes two families: Hylobatidae, the gibbons or lesser apes, and Hominidae, the great apes—orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos—and humans, who are classified as apes within Hominidae.

Common features of apes include larger brains relative to body size, flexible shoulder joints, and the absence of tails. Locomotion and behavior vary widely: gibbons are skilled brachiators that swing through forests, while great apes range from knuckle-walking to suspensory climbing. Social systems also differ, with gibbons often forming pair-bonded groups, orangutans tending toward solitary life, and gorillas and chimpanzees forming more complex social structures.

Apes inhabit tropical forests across Africa and Asia, with some species occupying mountains or swamps and others adapting to secondary forests. Their diets are largely omnivorous, dominated by fruit but supplemented by leaves, seeds, and insects. Social organization varies by species: chimpanzees and bonobos live in dynamic communities with fission–fusion dynamics; gorilla troops are cohesive groups led by a silverback; orangutans are typically solitary except for mothers and offspring; gibbons form small, stable family groups.

Reproduction involves long intervals between births; gestation generally ranges from about eight to nine months depending on species. Lifespans in the wild are typically several decades shorter than in captivity. Many ape species are threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and disease, motivating conservation and research efforts worldwide.

Notable species include the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), the bonobo (Pan paniscus), the orangutans (Pongo species), gorillas (Gorilla species), and diverse gibbon species.