Apes are among the most fascinating members of the primate family, known for their intelligence, complex emotions, and close genetic ties to humans. Unlike monkeys, apes do not have tails and generally have larger brains relative to their body size. They are divided into two main groups: lesser apes (like gibbons) and great apes (like chimpanzees and gorillas). There are about 30 ape species total, but humans are often excluded from non-human lists.
Types of Apes
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
Chimpanzees are one of humanity’s closest relatives, sharing about 98% of our DNA. They live in complex social groups led by dominant males and are known for their intelligence, tool use, and emotional depth. Native to Central and West Africa, they thrive in tropical forests and savannas.
Bonobo (Pan paniscus)
Bonobos, often called “the peaceful apes,” are closely related to chimpanzees but exhibit gentler behavior. Their societies are female-led, emphasizing cooperation and social bonding. Found only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, bonobos are known for using affection to resolve conflicts.
Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)
Western gorillas are the largest primates on Earth. They live in dense forests of Central and West Africa. These gorillas are herbivorous, feeding on fruits, shoots, and leaves. They are social animals led by a dominant silverback male who protects and guides the group.
Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei)
This species includes the famous mountain gorilla, found in the Virunga Mountains. Eastern gorillas are slightly larger and darker than western ones. They are critically endangered and known for their calm nature, strength, and strong family bonds within their groups.
Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii)
Native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, these orangutans are intelligent, solitary apes that spend most of their lives in trees. They have long, reddish fur and primarily feed on fruits and leaves. Their populations are declining due to deforestation and habitat loss.
Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)
Found on the island of Borneo, these apes are slightly larger than Sumatran orangutans. They are slow-moving and highly arboreal, using tools to access food. They are critically endangered, facing threats from palm oil farming and illegal logging.
Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis)
Discovered in 2017, this is the newest and rarest known great ape species. Found in the Batang Toru forests of northern Sumatra, there are fewer than 800 individuals. They are genetically distinct from other orangutans and face severe risk from habitat fragmentation.
White-Handed Gibbon (Hylobates lar)
This lesser ape is known for its beautiful songs and incredible agility. Living in Southeast Asian forests, white-handed gibbons swing through trees with remarkable grace using their long arms—a movement known as brachiation. They live in monogamous family groups.
Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus)
The siamang is the largest of the gibbons and is easily recognized by its throat sac, which inflates to amplify calls. Found in Malaysia and Sumatra, siamangs form strong pair bonds and communicate through loud, haunting duets that echo across the forest.
Lar Gibbon (Hylobates lar)
Often confused with the white-handed gibbon, the lar gibbon is another agile tree-dweller of Southeast Asia. It maintains small family units and uses loud songs to defend territory. Its playful behavior and high energy make it one of the most charismatic lesser apes.
Eastern Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys)
Native to parts of Myanmar, China, and India, the eastern hoolock gibbon is distinguished by its loud calls and distinct white eyebrows. It lives in dense forests, moving swiftly between trees, and is highly dependent on undisturbed forest habitats for survival.
Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock)
This species inhabits the forests of northeastern India and Bangladesh. Like its eastern relative, it’s an expert tree-dweller with a melodic voice. Unfortunately, it is endangered due to forest destruction and fragmentation of its habitat.
Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys)
This striking gibbon species is native to Laos, Vietnam, and southern China. Males are black with distinctive white cheek patches, while females are golden or buff-colored. They are known for their loud, melodious morning songs, which help mark territory and strengthen pair bonds. Unfortunately, they are critically endangered due to habitat loss.
Southern White-Cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus siki)
Closely related to the northern species, the southern white-cheeked gibbon also inhabits Southeast Asia. They live in small family groups and are monogamous. Their graceful swinging through forest canopies and haunting vocal calls make them a symbol of the wild Asian rainforests.
Black Crested Gibbon (Nomascus concolor)
Found in southern China, Laos, and northern Vietnam, this gibbon species exhibits sexual dimorphism in color: males are black while females are golden. They spend nearly all their lives in trees and play a crucial role in dispersing seeds through their fruit-based diet.
Western Black Crested Gibbon (Nomascus nasutus)
This rare ape is one of the world’s most endangered primates, with only a few hundred individuals surviving in northern Vietnam and China. Known for their loud duets, these gibbons have suffered severe population declines due to deforestation and hunting.
Eastern Black Crested Gibbon (Nomascus nasutus hainanus)
A subspecies found only on China’s Hainan Island, the eastern black crested gibbon is critically endangered, with fewer than 40 individuals remaining. They represent one of the smallest and most vulnerable ape populations on Earth, surviving in isolated forest reserves.
Agile Gibbon (Hylobates agilis)
True to its name, the agile gibbon moves effortlessly through the treetops of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. These gibbons are small, fast, and highly territorial, using loud calls at dawn to announce their presence and ward off intruders.
Pileated Gibbon (Hylobates pileatus)
Native to Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, the pileated gibbon is recognized by its dark cap of hair resembling a small helmet. Males are black, while females are silver-gray. They are monogamous, singing duets to communicate and maintain lifelong pair bonds.
Kloss’s Gibbon (Hylobates klossii)
Also known as the Mentawai gibbon, this species lives exclusively on the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra. It is entirely black, with long limbs adapted for fast brachiation. Their haunting songs echo through the island forests at sunrise.
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock tianxing)
Discovered in 2017, this newly identified species was named “Skywalker” after the Star Wars character because of its grace and mysterious nature. Found in China and Myanmar, it is distinguished by its pale eyebrows and unique calls. Sadly, it is already endangered due to habitat destruction.
Moloch Gibbon (Hylobates moloch)
Also called the Javan gibbon, this species is native to the island of Java in Indonesia. It has silvery-gray fur and expressive dark faces. Known for their beautiful duets and close family bonds, Moloch gibbons are now endangered due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
Buff-Cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae)
Inhabiting Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, the buff-cheeked gibbon is another colorful and vocal member of the ape family. Males are black with orange facial hair, while females are a golden hue. They are acrobatic and communicate through long, complex songs that echo through the forest.
Yellow-Cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae sikiensis)
A close relative or subspecies of the buff-cheeked gibbon, this ape also lives in the forests of Indochina. It is easily recognized by its contrasting cheek patches and loud morning calls. Like other gibbons, it lives in monogamous pairs and plays an essential ecological role in maintaining tropical forest balance.
Yellow-Handed Gibbon (Hylobates albibarbis)
Also known as the Bornean white-bearded gibbon, this species lives in the rainforests of Borneo. It was once considered a subspecies of the agile gibbon but is now recognized as distinct. These apes have dark fur with contrasting pale facial hair and yellowish hands. They are known for their powerful morning calls that can be heard kilometers away. Like other gibbons, they are monogamous and highly territorial, defending their range with melodious duets.
Northern Buff-Cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus annamensis)
This gibbon species was only recently identified as separate from other white-cheeked gibbons. It inhabits the forests of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Males are glossy black with orange cheek patches, while females are golden-yellow. Their songs are among the most complex of any gibbon, consisting of a rich sequence of notes used for communication and pair bonding. Sadly, they are classified as endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli)
The Cross River gorilla is the rarest gorilla subspecies, found along the Nigeria–Cameroon border. They live in small, isolated populations in mountainous forests. These gorillas are shy, elusive, and critically endangered, with fewer than 300 individuals remaining. They share many traits with western lowland gorillas but have smaller skulls and shorter palates. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect their remaining forest habitats from human encroachment.
Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
This is the most widespread and numerous gorilla subspecies, inhabiting the dense rainforests of Central Africa. Western lowland gorillas are slightly smaller and lighter than other gorillas, with reddish-brown hair on their heads. They are highly intelligent and have been observed using tools in the wild. Despite being the most common gorilla, they are still endangered due to poaching, disease, and habitat destruction. Their peaceful and family-oriented nature has made them symbols of conservation worldwide.