Gorilla vs. Monkey: 7 Differences Between the Two

When most people think of a gorilla vs. a monkey, they immediately think of two very different animals that share some similarities. But what are the actual differences between them? This article explores seven key distinctions between gorillas and monkeys. At the end of the article, you will understand each animal much better. Keep reading to learn more about these incredible primates.

Gorillas vs. Monkeys

Although both gorillas and monkeys are primates, there are a few significant areas in which they differ. Gorillas live mainly on the ground and are predominantly herbivorous apes inhabiting the forests of central Africa. There are two primary species of gorillas and four subspecies. They are also the largest living primates.

In contrast, monkeys are a group of primates with tails and are primarily omnivorous. Most monkey species are arboreal, although some live mainly on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys range in size from the tiniest pygmy marmoset, which weighs as little as 3.5 ounces, to the male mandrill, which can weigh nearly 88 pounds. There are over 250 monkey species, grouped as either Old World monkeys, found in Africa and Asia, or New World monkeys that inhabit Mexico, Central America, and South America.

The Key Differences Between a Gorilla vs. a Monkey

It would be impossible to compare the multiple species of gorillas with the over 250 species of monkeys. However, there are some general areas where these primates differ. These include their tails, size, facial features, movement, distribution, intelligence, and communication.

Tail

Tails are an essential difference between gorillas and monkeys. Gorillas do not have tails at all, whereas most monkeys have tails. Gorillas have no use for tails, as they live primarily on the ground. Instead, they use their strong arms to hoist themselves onto higher terrain or through the trees.

Monkeys use their long tails for balance and swinging from tree to tree. In some cases, the tail is prehensile, meaning it can grip or hold on to something. This ability is why you often see monkeys wrapping their tails around tree branches.

Size

One of the most obvious differences is their size. Gorillas are much larger than monkeys, with males weighing up to 400 pounds. Monkeys, on the other hand, typically weigh less than 50 pounds. Some species of female monkeys can even weigh as little as two pounds.

Gorillas are also taller than monkeys, with males standing around 6 feet tall and females about 5 feet tall. Monkeys range in size depending on the species, but even the tallest monkeys, male mandrills only reach about 2.7 feet in height. Gorillas also have body shapes that are very different from those of monkeys. They are much broader and more muscular, with shorter limbs. Monkeys have long, slender limbs that help them swing from tree to tree.

Facial Features

Although gorillas and monkeys are both primates, their facial features have several key differences. Gorillas’ faces are hairless. They have much heavier brows than monkeys, more prominent nostrils, and flatter noses. They also have smaller eyes and ears than monkeys.

Monkeys typically have hairy faces, which tend to be flatter. Most have short snouts, but some monkeys, such as baboons, have longer snouts more like those of dogs. Finally, monkey faces are often more expressive than gorilla faces. Gorillas have a more neutral expression, while monkeys can show a range of emotions on their face.

Movement

Gorillas and monkeys also move in different ways. Gorillas are quadrupeds, meaning they walk on all fours. Most monkeys are quadrupedal as well, but some monkeys walk bipedally more often, such as baboons, spider monkeys, and bearded capuchins, which means they walk on two legs.

Gorillas use their arms to help them move around. They can knuckle-walk, where they walk on their knuckles instead of their palms. Monkeys’ tails help them balance and grip as they swing from branch to branch. Because gorillas are much bigger than monkeys, they cannot move as quickly or climb as high. However, gorillas are much stronger than monkeys and are capable of tearing through tree branches and dense vegetation.

Distribution

There are some critical differences in the geographic distribution of gorillas and monkeys. For example, gorillas are indigenous only to Africa. The Western gorilla is native to Cameroon, Gabon, the Central African Republic, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and the Congo. Eastern gorillas are native to Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In contrast, monkeys live all over the world in a variety of different climates. As we noted previously, most monkeys come from Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. Interestingly, only two continents in the world do not have either gorillas or monkeys: Australia and Antarctica. In addition, Europe has only one species seen in the wild: the Barbary macaque population in Gibraltar.

Intelligence

There has been extensive debate over which is more intelligent: gorillas or monkeys. While both animals are incredibly smart, some key differences exist in their intelligence and communication skills. Gorillas have much bigger brains than monkeys, even relative to their body weight. On average, a gorilla’s brain is about three times the size of a monkey’s brain, depending on the monkey.

This variation doesn’t necessarily mean that gorillas are three times as clever, but it does suggest that they have more potential for complex thought. Studies have shown that gorillas are better at problem-solving and remembering tasks than monkeys. They also have a better understanding of cause and effect than monkeys.

Communication

Another difference between gorillas and monkeys is the way they communicate. Monkeys use sound and body language to communicate and they rely on visual displays. Gorillas, on the other hand, seem to have a more complex form of communication that includes specific vocalizations, gestures, and even body odor cues.

Researchers believe that gorilla communication may be more nuanced, while monkey communication is more rigid. Scientists have taught both gorillas and monkeys to use sign language and have found that gorillas are better at using and understanding signed words than monkeys.