Apes are extremely fascinating creatures of the Kingdom Animalia due to their close and outstanding resemblance with human beings. Not only do they resemble the latter physically, but also possess a high level of intelligence giving rise to behavior patterns similar to that of man. These giant mammals of the wild are primates and are divided into four genera: Gorillas, Orangutans, Gibbons and Chimpanzees. Do not confuse any of the types of ape with monkeys as the former are higher primates with their own evolutionary ancestor. Moreover, unlike monkeys, they are larger in size, live longer, do not have tails and are more intelligent.

Here are some fascinating ape facts to increase your information about this astonishing creature.

• Just like humans, these hairy primates possess properly shaped hands which can be used to grasp and hold things.
• As you can see in the apes pictures, their arms are longer than their legs, making it easy for them to walk using all four limbs.
• One of the most fascinating apes facts is that scientists have been able to use the intelligence of these creatures to teach them sign language. Most of them have been able to learn around a thousand different signs a remarkable achievement!
• One of the most fascinating ape facts is that scientists have been able to use the intelligence of these creatures to teach them sign language. Most of them have been able to learn around a thousand different signs—a remarkable achievement!
• In the wild, these exceptional animals have also been observed to create rough tools for hunting, such as spears.
• Their natural habitat exists in the forests of Africa as well as South East Asia. However, human activities have caused some of the species to be classified as endangered. Cutting down forests, and hunting and capturing these animals are the major reasons behind their endangerment.
• Their diet consists of plants, insects, birds and even small mammals. That is why they are classified as omnivores.
• Among all the four groups, Eastern Lowland Gorilla is the largest and heaviest as it can be observed in the ape pictures. Their average height reaches as high as 6 feet, while the average weight measures 500 pounds.
• Next to gorillas in size and weight are orangutans. The latter can be as tall as four to five feet while their average weight equals 300 to 440 pounds.
• Gibbons are the smallest of these four types, being only 10 to 14 Kg in weight and reaching an average height between 74 and 100 cm only.
• An in-depth research carried out on chimpanzees has shown that around 95 to 96 percent of their DNA is similar to that of humans. A difference of mere 5 to 4 percent makes the latter dominant enough to put these animals in captivity for research and amusement.

In order to avoid the endangerment of these marvelous animals, it is important to preserve their natural habitat and put an end to harmful activities like poaching.