Keeper Louise shared her expertise to let us in on the easy ways to spot the difference between a monkey, ape or prosimian.

Tails talk

One quick way to tell a monkey and ape apart is monkeys have tails, apes do not.

Here at the Zoo, we care for seven monkey species, including Golden Lion Tamarins, Marmosets, and Squirrel Monkeys.

All who have tails that help them balance and swing through the trees. Compare that to some of the apes in the Zoo, like gibbons and orangutans who are tail-free!

LOOK at me!

Another easy way to tell monkeys and apes apart?  Just look at their bodies!

Apes are usually bigger, with broad chests and naked faces.

Monkeys are smaller with narrower chests and lots of hair on their faces.

Walk the walk

Monkeys and apes have distinct ways they walk; an instant tell tale of who’s who.  

Monkeys remain on all fours all the time whereas apes can walk upright on two feet.

Body to brain ratio

All Primates are clever and social, but apes take brainpower to the next level.

Apes have a larger brain-to-body ratio than monkeys.

They can solve puzzles, use tools, and communicate in more complex ways compared to monkeys.

League of Lemurs

What about lemurs you ask? Well, here’s where it gets trickier. They have tails and hairy faces, but  they’re not a monkey or an ape!

Lemurs are in a league of their own, known asprosimians.

Prosimians have longer snouts, a smaller brain and a more developed sense of smell.

Some may think of them as the OG primates!

Protecting our Primates

International Primate Day is a great opportunity to reflect on the important work we do to help these species.

Over the past decade, we’ve swung into action through breeding programs and global conservation partnerships that make a real difference.

Take a look at our work for primates in the wild here!

Test your knowledge!

Think you know it all? Put your knowledge to the test in our primates QUIZ