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Difference Between Ape and Man

Last Updated : 09 Mar, 2023
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Even though Humans are similar to apes in many characteristics, there are some important things that make them stand out which include how humans look, how they think, and how they act with others. It’s interesting to learn about these differences because they help us understand how humans evolved and what makes them special as a species. By studying what sets them apart from other primates, we can appreciate themselves more and how they came to be. In this article, we will look at these differences and understand the basic features of humans and the Ape.

Man

Human refers to a member of the species Homo sapiens, and they are the only species of their kind that’s still alive. Humans stand up straight, they can use their thumbs to do lots of things, and they have big brains compared to their bodies. Because of that, they can think in complex ways, talk to each other, create cultures, and make all sorts of tools and machines. Humans are really good at adapting to different places on Earth, and they have become really successful because of that.

Even though humans are smart and capable, they also have feelings like happiness, sadness, love, and loss. They are social creatures, which means they like to be around other people and work together. Sometimes humans get along great and sometimes they don’t. That’s just part of being human.

Ape

An ape is an animal that belongs to the same family as humans, called Hominidae. This family not only include humans but also other types of great apes, such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. Apes don’t have tails and they walk more upright. Like humans, they also have bigger brains compared to their body size and have more complex social behavior.

Physical Differences Between Ape and Man:

  1. Skeletal structure: Apes and humans have different skeletal structures. Apes have longer arms and shorter legs, and their pelvis is positioned for quadrupedal movement on the other side humans have short arms and long legs and their pelvis is positioned for bipedal movement.
  2. Brain size and structure: Apes have smaller brain sizes as compared to humans and this is due to the development of the cognitive abilities of humans.
  3. Facial structure: Apes and humans have different facial structures. Humans have flatter faces and more prominent chins which allows them to create a wider range of facial expressions than apes.
  4. Hair: Apes have more hair than humans, with humans having only sparse hair on their bodies. This is due to be an adaptation for better thermoregulation and sweat management in humans.

Cognitive Differences Between Ape and Man:

  1.  Language: Apes use a limited range of sounds and gestures which limits them to only communicate with each other while humans have developed complex language systems which allow them to convey abstract ideas and concepts
  2. Abstract thinking: Due to undeveloped cognitive abilities in apes, they are not capable of abstract thinking like humans which helps them think about concepts and ideas that are not directly tied to sensory experience.
  3. Problem-solving: Humans have a well-developed problem-solving ability that allows them to find solutions to complex problems. While apes can solve simple problems their cognitive abilities are not as well-suited to complex problem-solving.
  4. Creativity: Humans are capable of thinking of new and original ideas. which helps them to be more creative as compared to apes.

Social Differences Between Ape and Man:

  1. Family structure: Apes tend to live in social groups with a dominant male, while humans have a more complex family structure that includes monogamous relationships and extended families.
  2. Culture: Humans have developed complex cultural systems that include customs, beliefs, and traditions that are passed down from one generation to the next. Apes do not have this level of cultural development.
  3. Cooperation: While both apes and humans are capable of cooperation, humans have developed more sophisticated systems of cooperation, including the ability to work together on large-scale projects and to organize into complex societies.

Difference Between Ape and Man

Feature    

Apes

Humans

Brain size                              Relatively smaller Relatively larger
Forehead Sloping Vertical
Face Prognathic Orthognathic
Jaw Prominent Reduced
Teeth Large, canine teeth are often present Smaller, reduced canines
Body size Generally larger than humans Generally smaller than apes
Posture Walk on all fours or knuckles Walk upright on two feet
Pelvis Narrower and taller Broader and shorter
Life span Usually shorter than humans Generally longer than apes
Locomotion quadrupedal  bipedal
Diet Mostly herbivorous, with some species also eating insects and small animals Omnivorous, with a wide range of dietary options including meat, vegetables, and grains

Conclusion

In conclusion, the differences between apes and humans are numerous and complex, encompassing differences in physical, cognitive, and social characteristics. These differences have evolved over millions of years as humans and apes have adapted to different ecological niches and developed different survival strategies.


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