Answer :
Final answer:
Great Apes are large, tailless primates with significant size differences among species. This group includes chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and humans. They are known for larger brain sizes, lack of a tail, and adaptability to various habitats.
Explanation:
Physical Characteristics of Great Apes
The Great Apes are a group of large, tailless primates that vary significantly in size. For example, the pygmy chimpanzee weighs between 66-88 pounds, while gorillas can weigh between 300-400 pounds. In these species, males are generally larger and stronger than females. These primates are distinguished from lesser apes, like gibbons and siamangs, which are smaller and exhibit low sexual dimorphism. Great Apes share certain characteristics such as a larger body size compared to other primates, and they are extremely intelligent with larger brains relative to body size.
Included Animals in the Great Apes Group
- Pan - This gender includes chimpanzees and bonobos.
- Gorilla - Comprising the gorilla species.
- Pongo - Including the orangutans with species native to Indonesia.
- Homo - Which includes humans with only one species, Homo sapiens.
Among these, orangutans are known for being arboreal and solitary; gorillas exhibit strong sexual dimorphism; chimpanzees and bonobos are considered the closest relatives to humans, with the latter closely related to chimpanzees.
Great Apes evolved approximately 25 million years ago and have adapted to varied habitats, from arboreal to terrestrial landscapes. Their evolution and adaptability underline the diverse and complex nature of this primate group.
