• Question: Are we technically smart apes?

    Asked by ahrienne to meganbird, Lisa M, Laura, Jo, heatherthompson on 21 May 2025.
    • Photo: Jo Montgomery

      Jo Montgomery answered on 21 May 2025:

      We have a common ancestor with the great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orang utans), so we are very closely related and very similar. They are also intelligent: using tools, forming complex social groups, passing on skills, learning, remembering, problem solving and making decisions – so yes, we have taken those attributes further but all apes are highly intelligent.

Comments

  • Photo: aureliabrzezowska

    aureliabrzezowska commented on :

    Genetically we are quite close to them though not exactly the same. A long time ago we had a common relative with apes but they evolved to become less like them and more like us. In a joking context: sort of but scientifically not so much.