Monkey vs. Gorilla — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 14, 2024
Monkeys are generally smaller, more diverse, and often have tails, while gorillas are larger tailless primates with a more limited habitat range.
Difference Between Monkey and Gorilla
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Key Differences
Monkeys belong to two broad categories: Old World monkeys and New World monkeys, which live in various environments across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Whereas gorillas, members of the great ape family, are found only in specific forest regions in Africa.
Monkeys are known for their agility and often arboreal lifestyle, frequently using their tails for balance or grasping branches. On the other hand, gorillas are primarily terrestrial and move around by knuckle-walking, with no need or use for a tail.
The diet of monkeys varies widely among species and includes fruits, insects, and small animals. In contrast, gorillas have a more specialized diet, primarily vegetarian, consuming large amounts of leaves, stems, and some fruit.
In terms of social structure, monkeys can be very social, living in large groups with complex hierarchies. Gorillas live in smaller, more stable family groups led by a dominant silverback male, which dictates the group’s movements and activities.
Physically, gorillas are much larger and stronger than any monkey, with male gorillas weighing up to 400 pounds or more. Monkeys are generally much smaller, with some species weighing less than a pound, showcasing a significant size range.
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Comparison Chart
Habitat
Diverse: Asia, Africa, Americas
Limited: Forests of central Africa
Tail
Often present, used for balance
Absent
Diet
Omnivorous, varies widely
Mostly vegetarian, leaves and fruits
Locomotion
Arboreal and terrestrial, agile
Terrestrial, knuckle-walking
Social Structure
Large, varied groups with complex hierarchies
Small family groups led by a silverback male
Size
Ranges from less than a pound to over 20 lbs
150-400 lbs, significantly larger
Compare with Definitions
Monkey
Lives in social groups with complex interactions.
Monkeys in the troop communicate using various vocalizations and gestures.
Gorilla
Primarily ground-dwelling and uses knuckle-walking for movement.
Gorillas display significant physical strength, even in their gentle foraging activities.
Monkey
Found in a range of habitats across multiple continents.
The rhesus monkey is native to Asia and adapts well to diverse environments, including urban areas.
Gorilla
A large, tailless great ape, one of the closest relatives to humans.
The mountain gorilla is critically endangered, with habitat loss posing a major threat.
Monkey
Monkey is a common name that may refer to certain groups or species of simian mammals of infraorder Simiiformes. The term is applied descriptively to groups of primates, such as families of New World monkeys and Old World monkeys.
Gorilla
Lives in stable family groups typically led by a dominant male.
The silverback gorilla leads the group, providing protection and making decisions about movement and feeding.
Monkey
Any of various tailed primates of the suborder Anthropoidea, including the macaques, baboons, capuchins, and marmosets, and excluding the apes.
Gorilla
Found exclusively in the forests of central Africa.
Gorillas' natural habitat includes the dense, remote forests of the Congo Basin.
Monkey
A nonhuman ape. Not in scientific use.
Gorilla
Consumes a diet mainly of vegetation, with a preference for certain types of leaves and fruits.
Gorillas spend several hours a day eating to sustain their massive bodies.
Monkey
One who behaves in a way suggestive of a monkey, as a mischievous child or a mimic.
Gorilla
Gorillas are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous great apes that inhabit the tropical forests of central Sub-Saharan Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas, and either four or five subspecies.
Monkey
The iron block of a pile driver.
Gorilla
Either of two large apes (Gorilla gorilla or G. beringei) native to the forests of equatorial Africa, having a stocky body and coarse dark brown or black hair.
Monkey
(Slang) A person who is mocked, duped, or made to appear a fool
They made a monkey out of him.
Gorilla
A powerfully built, aggressive, and often crude man.
Monkey
Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a person with dark skin.
Gorilla
A thug.
Monkey
To play, fiddle, trifle, or tamper with something
Who was monkeying with my phone?.
Gorilla
The largest of the apes, belonging to the genus Gorilla, native to the forests of central Africa and known for their trait of knuckle-walking.
Monkey
To behave in a mischievous or apish manner
Stop monkeying around!.
Gorilla
A big and brutish man or a thug; a goon or ruffian.
Monkey
To imitate or mimic; ape.
Gorilla
(informal) A powerful person or organization; a heavyweight or behemoth.
Monkey
(properly) A member of the clade Simiiformes other than those in the clade Hominoidea containing humans and apes, generally (but not universally) distinguished by small size, tails, and cheek pouches.
He had been visiting an area zoo when a monkey swung from its tree perch, swiped his glasses and hurled them into a hippo hole.
Gorilla
A large, arboreal, anthropoid ape of West Africa. It is larger than a man, and is remarkable for its massive skeleton and powerful muscles, which give it enormous strength. In some respects its anatomy, more than that of any other ape, except the chimpanzee, resembles that of man.
Monkey
Any simian primate other than hominids, any monkey or ape.
Chimpanzees are known to form bands to hunt and kill other monkeys.
Gorilla
Largest anthropoid ape; terrestrial and vegetarian; of forests of central west Africa
Monkey
A human considered to resemble monkeys in some way, including:
Monkey
A naughty or mischievous person, especially a child.
Stop misbehaving, you cheeky little monkey!
Monkey
(slang) The person in the motorcycle sidecar in sidecar racing.
Monkey
(pejorative) idiot: a person of minimal intelligence.
Monkey
(pejorative) uggo: an unattractive person, especially one whose face supposedly resembles a monkey's.
Monkey
Synonym of puppet: a person dancing to another's tune, a person controlled or directed by another.
No, no, no, not you. I want to talk to the organ grinder, not the monkey.
Monkey
A menial employee who does a repetitive job supposedly requiring minimal intelligence.
Code monkey... grease monkey... phone monkey... powder monkey...
Monkey
A black, a black person.
Monkey
(historical) A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.
Monkey
The vessel in which a mess receives its full allowance of grog.
Monkey
The weight of a pile driver or drop hammer.
Monkey
A fluid consisting of hydrochloric acid and zinc, used in the process of soldering.
Monkey
(slang) five hundred, especially (British) 500 pounds sterling or 500 dollars.
Monkey
(blackjack) face card.
Monkey
(slang) A person's temper, said to be "up" when they are angry.
Monkey
(slang) A drug habit; an addiction; a compulsion.
Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey.
Monkey
(dance) A dance popularized by Major Lance in 1963, now usually only its upper-body dance move involving exaggerated drumming motions.
Monkey
To meddle; to mess (with).
Please don't monkey with the controls if you don't know what you're doing.
Monkey
(transitive) To mimic; to ape.
Monkey
In the most general sense, any one of the Quadrumana, including apes, baboons, and lemurs.
Monkey
A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a mischievous child.
This is the monkey's own giving out; she is persuaded I will marry her.
Monkey
The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high, falls on the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
Monkey
A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.
Monkey
To act or treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a grotesque or meddlesome manner.
Monkey
Any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)
Monkey
One who is playfully mischievous
Monkey
Play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly;
Someone tampered with the documents on my desk
The reporter fiddle with the facts
Monkey
Do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly;
The old lady is usually mucking about in her little house
Monkey
A small to medium-sized primate, typically with a tail.
The capuchin is a type of monkey known for its intelligence and agility.
Monkey
Can be arboreal or terrestrial, adaptable to various environments.
Spider monkeys use their long tails for gripping branches as they swing through trees.
Monkey
Omnivorous, with diets that vary greatly by species and habitat.
Some monkeys eat mostly fruit, while others include insects and small animals in their diet.
Common Curiosities
Why are gorillas not considered monkeys?
Gorillas are classified as great apes, which are larger and do not have tails, unlike monkeys.
Are all monkeys able to swing from trees?
Not all monkeys are arboreal; some species are primarily ground-dwelling.
What are the main threats to gorillas and monkeys?
Both face threats from habitat destruction and poaching, but specific risks vary widely among species.
How do zoos contribute to the conservation of monkeys and gorillas?
Zoos participate in breeding programs, educational outreach, and support for conservation projects in the wild.
How do gorillas communicate within their group?
Gorillas use a variety of vocalizations, body postures, and gestures to communicate with each other.
Can monkeys and gorillas be found in the same habitats?
While both can inhabit forests, their ranges do not typically overlap due to geographical and ecological differences.
How long do gorillas and monkeys live?
Lifespans vary; monkeys can live from 10 to 50 years depending on the species, while gorillas often live 35 to 40 years in the wild.
Do monkeys use tools?
Some monkey species, like the capuchin, have been observed using tools in the wild.
Are monkeys or gorillas closer to humans genetically?
Gorillas are closer to humans genetically, sharing more DNA similarities.
What role does the silverback play in gorilla society?
The silverback is the leader and protector of the group, responsible for decision-making and conflict resolution.
Can gorillas be trained like some monkey species?
Gorillas can learn and perform tasks but are generally not trained in the same way as some smaller, more manageable monkey species.
What is unique about gorillas’ diet?
Despite their size, gorillas eat a mostly vegetarian diet, which is high in fiber and requires extensive chewing.
How do environmental changes affect gorillas and monkeys?
Environmental changes like deforestation and climate change impact food availability and habitat security for both groups.
What adaptations do arboreal monkeys have?
Arboreal monkeys often have prehensile tails and long limbs for navigating treetops.
Are there any cultural significances attached to gorillas and monkeys?
Yes, both have been revered, feared, or symbolized in various cultures, often reflecting human-like qualities attributed to them.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
