How Long Do Apes Live? Types of Apes and More Facts
Pig-tailed macaque, Bukit Lawang, Sumatra | Cesar Medina Davila
If you’ve ever wondered how old do apes live, you’re not alone. These intelligent, social, and highly evolved primates share more than 90% of their DNA with humans, and their lives are just as fascinating. Although apes are closely related to humans, they are distantly related to other primates like marmosets, which belong to divergent evolutionary paths. In this guide, we’ll dive into the lifespan of apes, explore the different species of apes, and unpack their evolutionary history, social structures, and conservation status. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast or just curious about the animal kingdom, this post has plenty of eye-opening insights.
What Is an Ape?
Apes are members of the primate order, a biological classification that includes humans, monkeys, and prosimians like lemurs. Unlike monkeys, apes don’t have tails and generally have larger brains relative to their body size. They also exhibit more complex behaviors, tool use, and social organization.
Humans and other great apes belong to the family Hominidae, which comprises the Great Apes.
There are two major families of apes: great apes and lesser apes. These families include a range of species with varying sizes, habitats, and lifespans.
Evolutionary History of Apes
The story of apes begins around 25 million years ago during the Oligocene epoch. Fossil evidence from Africa suggests that early apes evolved from monkey-like ancestors and spread throughout the continent. One of the most famous early ancestors is Proconsul, an extinct genus that shows characteristics of both monkeys and apes. The first apes evolved approximately 25 million years ago.
Over time, these primates diversified into the great apes, which include gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and humans, and the lesser apes, represented by gibbons. This split likely occurred between 15–20 million years ago, with each lineage adapting to different ecological niches and behaviors. There is now enough evidence to outline the evolutionary history of humans and other apes.
Apes vs Monkeys vs Primates
Let’s clear up the age-old confusion between apes, monkeys, and primates—it’s more than just tails and tree-living.
Primates are the broad biological order that includes apes, monkeys, and the more primitive relatives known as prosimians, such as lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers. This diverse group shares common traits like grasping hands, forward-facing eyes, and large brains relative to body size—adaptations that have helped them thrive in a wide range of environments.
Monkeys make up a large and varied subgroup within the primate order. Most monkeys have tails, are generally smaller in size, and tend to be more arboreal—meaning they spend much of their time in the trees. They're divided into Old World monkeys (like baboons and macaques, found in Africa and Asia) and New World monkeys (like capuchins and howler monkeys, found in Central and South America). Though clever, monkeys generally have less complex social structures and cognitive abilities than apes.
Apes, on the other hand, are part of the superfamily Hominoidea, which includes gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, gibbons, and us—humans. Apes are typically larger-bodied, have no tails, and exhibit greater brain-to-body ratios, which support their more advanced problem-solving, communication, and emotional intelligence. Most apes also spend a significant amount of time on the ground, although species like orangutans and gibbons are quite arboreal.
In short:
All apes are primates, but not all primates are apes.
Monkeys have tails; apes do not.
Apes generally exhibit more advanced intelligence, stronger tool use, and closer genetic ties to humans.
Humans themselves are considered great apes, making us relatives—not just observers—of the primate lineage.
On the left: a chimpanzee (ape), on the right: a monkey
Types of Apes
Apes are split into two broad categories:
Great Apes (Hominidae): Gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and humans.
Lesser Apes (Hylobatidae): Gibbons (over 20 species).
There are five species of gibbons included on the IUCN Red List.
Each species has a unique biology, behavior, and lifespan.
Lifespan of Apes: The Basics
How old do apes live? The answer depends on the species, whether they’re in the wild or captivity, and other ecological and social factors.
The time to reach sexual maturity varies among different ape species, with some requiring significantly longer periods compared to others. Wild apes generally live shorter lives due to disease, predation, and limited medical care. Captive apes, especially those in sanctuaries or research centers, often live much longer due to better healthcare and diet.
1. Gorillas
Scientific name: Gorilla gorilla (Western), Gorilla beringei (Eastern)
Average lifespan in the wild: 35–40 years
Lifespan in captivity: Up to 50+ years
Gorillas are the largest of all apes and live in family groups led by a dominant silverback male. They are mostly herbivores and rely on forests in central Africa. Gorillas live in the rainforests of equatorial Africa, including countries like Rwanda and Uganda where despite amazing conservation efforst through tourism (see Rwanda’s Conservation Story), Gorillas are still endangered.
One of the oldest recorded gorillas was a female named Colo who lived to be 60 years old at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio.
Gorillas are the largest of apes | Photo by Mathew Gibson
2. Chimpanzees
Scientific name: Pan troglodytes
Average lifespan in the wild: 30–40 years
Lifespan in captivity: Up to 50–60 years
Chimpanzees are highly intelligent and use tools like sticks to fish for termites or stones to crack nuts. Their lifespan reflects their complex social lives and environmental pressures. In 2017, a female chimp named Little Mama was estimated to be over 70 years old.
The pygmy chimpanzee, also known as the Bonobo, is one of the two living species of chimpanzees.
Chimpanzees have complex social lives.
3. Bonobos
Scientific name: Pan paniscus
Average lifespan in the wild: 30–40 years
Lifespan in captivity: Up to 50 years
Bonobos are very similar to chimpanzees at a first glimpse. They are sometimes called the "peaceful ape," due to their more calm behaviour. Bonobos are closely related to chimpanzees but are less aggressive and more cooperative. They live in matriarchal societies and are known for using sexual behavior as a conflict-resolution tool.
Bonobos live in matriacharl societies and are more peaceful | Getty Images
4. Orangutans
Scientific name: Pongo pygmaeus (Bornean), Pongo abelii (Sumatran), Pongo tapanuliensis (Tapanuli)
Average lifespan in the wild: 30–40 years
Lifespan in captivity: Up to 50–60 years
Orangutans are the most solitary of the great apes and spend most of their time in trees. Their long arms and hook-like hands help them swing between branches in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra.
Orangutans live in South East Asia | Photo by Cesar Medina Davila
5. Gibbons
Scientific name: Hylobatidae family
Average lifespan in the wild: 25–30 years
Lifespan in captivity: Up to 40 years
Gibbons are the smallest of the apes and the most acrobatic. Their song-like calls echo through the forest and help defend their territory. Unlike the great apes, gibbons form lifelong monogamous pairs.
White-handed gibbon | Photo by Cesar Meda Davila
Ape Diet and Nutrition
Ape diet and nutrition play a crucial role in the health and well-being of both great apes and lesser apes. Great apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, primarily follow a herbivorous diet. They feast on a variety of plant-based foods such as fruits, leaves, seeds, nuts, and even bark. This plant-rich diet provides the essential nutrients they need to thrive in their natural habitats.
In contrast, modern humans, who are also part of the great ape family, have a more diverse diet that includes meat and other animal products. Human evolution has significantly influenced our dietary habits, leading to a wide range of food consumption patterns. While humans have adapted to various diets over time, great apes and other primate species have more specialized diets tailored to their specific environments.
Lesser apes, like gibbons, also have a diet that mainly consists of fruits and leaves, but they may occasionally consume insects. Understanding what apes eat helps us appreciate the delicate balance of their ecosystems and the importance of preserving their natural habitats to ensure their survival.
Factors That Influence Ape Lifespan
Ape life expectancy depends on several factors:
Habitat quality: Deforestation and habitat fragmentation reduce access to food and shelter.
Predation and disease: Wild apes face natural threats, including predators and viral infections.
Human activity: Poaching and illegal wildlife trade continue to threaten many species.
Captive care: Medical care, proper diet, and social enrichment improve longevity.
Apes face three main threats: habitat loss, illegal poaching, and disease.
The Oldest Known Apes
Some apes have far exceeded the average lifespan:
Colo the Gorilla: Lived to 60 in a U.S. zoo.
Cheeta the Chimpanzee: Allegedly lived to 80, though disputed.
Nonja the Orangutan: Lived to 55 at Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna.
These examples show how ape longevity can vary dramatically depending on living conditions.
Great Apes vs Lesser Apes
Great Apes: Larger, more intelligent, and exhibit complex social behaviors. Includes gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and humans.
Lesser Apes: Smaller, more agile, and typically monogamous. Gibbons are the only lesser apes.
There are two families of apes: great apes and lesser apes. These families are characterized by certain anatomical and behavioral traits, such as tail presence, brain complexity, and social behaviors.
Understanding these distinctions helps researchers and conservationists tailor their efforts.
Ape Cognition and Behavior
Ape cognition and behavior are complex and fascinating, offering deep insights into the minds of great apes and lesser apes. Great apes, such as chimpanzees and gorillas, exhibit remarkable intelligence and social behaviors. Chimpanzees live in large communities led by dominant male leaders, showcasing intricate social hierarchies and cooperation. They are known for their tool use, using sticks to fish for termites and stones to crack nuts, demonstrating advanced problem-solving skills.
Gorillas, on the other hand, live in smaller groups typically led by a single male gorilla, known as a silverback. These groups are characterized by strong social bonds and cooperative behaviors. Human beings, our closest relatives, also exhibit complex social behaviors, and our brain development is closely linked to that of other great apes. Studies have shown that great apes’ brains are similar to human brains, with areas dedicated to language, problem-solving, and social interaction.
Lesser apes, like gibbons, are known for their acrobatic abilities and monogamous pairings. Their long arms and agile hands enable them to swing effortlessly between tree branches, showcasing their remarkable physical adaptations. By studying ape cognition and behavior, we gain valuable insights into our own evolutionary history and the shared traits that connect us to these incredible animals.
Conservation Status of Apes
The conservation status of apes is a stark reminder of how closely human activity is intertwined with their survival. Many ape species are listed as endangered or critically endangered, with their populations continuing to decline at an alarming rate due to a range of human-driven threats.
Interestingly, the genetic basis for differences in brain aging among primates highlights how genetic differences contribute to disparate neurological outcomes such as Alzheimer's disease. These genetic mechanisms could explain why certain primates, including great apes, experience milder neurodegenerative changes compared to humans, despite having similar genetic sequences for proteins like amyloid-beta.
Let’s break it down by species:
Gorillas (both western and eastern species) face relentless pressure from habitat destruction, civil conflict zones, poaching, and disease outbreaks like Ebola. Despite their immense strength, gorillas are surprisingly gentle and slow to reproduce, making their populations especially vulnerable to disturbance. However, their population has shown an amazing recovery thanks to community efforts, where gorillas and their habitats are worth more alive than dead.
Orangutans: only found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, were being pushed to the brink by deforestation, especially for the expansion of palm oil plantations over the last decades. These intelligent, tree-dwelling apes lose thousands of hectares of habitat every year. Similar to Gorilla, various conservation efforts, many of those throug tourism, have helped these apes. One incredible story is the case of Bukit Lawang, where trekkings in the jungle help to conserve Orangutans.
Chimpanzees and bonobos, our closest living relatives, are severely impacted by the bushmeat trade, habitat encroachment, and infectious diseases like respiratory illnesses spread from humans. Bonobos, found only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are particularly hard to protect due to political instability and fragmented habitat.
Gibbons, often called “lesser apes,” are found throughout Southeast Asia. With over 20 different species, many gibbons are experiencing drastic habitat fragmentation due to logging and agriculture. Illegal wildlife trade—especially in the pet industry—also takes a significant toll.
Thankfully, several organizations are working tirelessly to change this trajectory:
WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) supports habitat protection initiatives, especially in gorilla and orangutan regions.
The Jane Goodall Institute continues to lead groundbreaking work in chimpanzee conservation, habitat preservation, and community engagement.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) maintains the Red List, providing crucial data that drives conservation priorities worldwide.
Local grassroots efforts, sanctuaries, and eco-tourism programs are also stepping up, providing critical support where large organizations can’t always reach.
Protecting apes isn’t just about saving a species—it’s about preserving entire ecosystems, supporting indigenous communities, and protecting our shared evolutionary heritage. Every small action, from sustainable shopping choices to supporting reforestation efforts, helps keep these remarkable animals from disappearing forever.
Why Understanding Ape Lifespan Matters
Knowing how long apes live for isn't just trivia—it’s a vital part of conservation biology. Long lifespans mean slow reproduction, which makes population recovery difficult. It also gives scientists a broader window to study cognition, social behavior, and health across a lifetime.
Scientific Studies and Findings
According to a study published in Nature Communications (2018), great apes share similar aging patterns with humans, particularly in bone density and cognitive decline. Cognitive tests are used to assess the cognitive abilities of apes, particularly in relation to brain aging.
Ape Habitat and Distribution
Ape habitat and distribution vary widely across the globe, with great apes and lesser apes inhabiting different regions of Africa and Asia. Great apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, are primarily found in tropical forests and lowland rainforests. These lush environments provide the food and shelter necessary for their survival. For instance, gorillas are often found in the dense forests of central Africa, while orangutans inhabit the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.
Lesser apes, such as gibbons, are typically found in more temperate forests across Southeast Asia. These agile primates thrive in the forest canopy, where they can swing from tree to tree with ease. Human ancestors are believed to have evolved in Africa, sharing a common ancestor with other great apes. Today, human populations are spread across the globe, while other apes are confined to specific regions.
Habitat loss and fragmentation pose significant threats to ape species. Deforestation, driven by logging, agriculture, and urbanization, reduces the available habitat for these animals, leading to population declines. Many great apes and lesser apes are now listed as endangered species, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect their habitats and ensure their survival.
What You Can Do to Help
Donate to reputable conservation groups.
Avoid palm oil products when possible.
Support ethical tourism and avoid attractions that exploit apes.
Educate others about the plight of wild apes.
Education and Awareness
Education and awareness are critical for the conservation of great apes and lesser apes. Many organizations, including the National Academy, are dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting ape habitats and preventing harmful animal husbandry practices. By learning about the behavior, diet, and habitat of great apes and lesser apes, we can better appreciate the significance of conservation efforts.
Supporting organizations that work to protect ape species is essential for their long-term survival. These organizations engage in various activities, from habitat restoration to anti-poaching initiatives, to safeguard these remarkable animals. It is also crucial to recognize the important differences between humans and other apes while acknowledging our shared evolutionary history.
By promoting education and awareness, we can foster a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by apes and the steps needed to protect them. Whether through supporting conservation groups, making sustainable choices, or spreading the word about the plight of apes, every action counts in the fight to preserve these incredible primate species.
Final Thoughts
So, how long do apes live? It depends, but most great apes can live 30–50 years or more with proper care. Their lifespans, behaviors, and evolutionary history highlight not only how similar they are to us but also how vulnerable they’ve become.
Understanding the lifespan of apes helps us learn more about the human lineage and our evolutionary connections.
By learning about the different species of apes and their lifespan, we gain deeper respect—and hopefully, motivation to protect them.
Find Ape and Monkey Experiences!
This website is reader-supported. When you book a wildlife experience through links listed on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
