Hominidae

The Hominidae, known as the great apes, are a family of primates. There are eight living species in four groups. These species are the Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli orangutan from Pongo; the eastern and western gorilla from Gorilla; the chimpanzee and the bonobo from Pan; and humans, which are the only remaining members of Homo, specifically modern humans (Homo sapiens).

Over time, the word "hominid" has changed meaning. At first, it meant only humans and their closest extinct relatives. By the 1990s, it included all great apes. Today, "hominid" usually means all great apes, including humans, though some people still use it in the older, narrower way.

The most recent common ancestor of all Hominidae lived about 14 million years ago. This ancestor split from the line that led to gibbons, which belong to the family Hylobatidae, perhaps 15 to 20 million years ago. Because of the close genetic ties between humans and other great apes, some animal rights groups argue that these animals should have basic human rights. Twenty-nine countries have put in place research bans to protect great apes from scientific testing.

Evolution

See also: Human evolution

Long ago, around 22 million years ago, many early primates lived in East Africa. These primates were good at living in trees. Fossils from this time help scientists learn about how apes and monkeys evolved.

Scientists found fossils of early ape-like creatures in Africa and even in places like France and Spain. These fossils show that many kinds of apes lived during a warm time millions of years ago. Later, around 18 to 12 million years ago, the group that would become gibbons split off from the group that would become the great apes. Around 12 million years ago, orangutans also split off from the other great apes. DNA shows that gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans share a common ancestor. Gorillas split off first, then chimpanzees, and finally humans evolved along their own path.

Taxonomy

Further information: Human taxonomy

The group of great apes has been classified in many ways over time. At first, only humans and their closest relatives were called hominids. Today, the word "hominid" includes all great apes: orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans.

Here are some related words that describe these animals:

• A hominoid is any member of the group that includes gibbons and the great apes.
• A hominid is any great ape, such as orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans.
• A hominine includes gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans, but not orangutans.
• A hominin includes chimpanzees and humans.
• A human belongs to the genus Homo, and Homo sapiens is the only living species in this group.

Description

The great apes are primates without tails. The smallest of these apes is the bonobo, weighing between 30 to 40 kilograms, while the largest is the eastern gorilla. In general, male great apes are larger and stronger than females.

Their teeth are similar to those of Old World monkeys and gibbons, but gorillas have especially large teeth. Humans have smaller teeth and jaws compared to other apes, possibly because we use tools and eat cooked food.

Behavior

Great apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and humans, show interesting behaviors. They often move on all fours but can use their hands to gather food, build nests for sleeping, and sometimes use tools. These animals eat many kinds of food, but chimpanzees and orangutans mainly like fruits. Gorillas sometimes eat leaves and shoots when there aren’t many fruits.

Chimpanzees and humans can sometimes argue over land and resources. Chimpanzees may stay together in groups to protect their area. Young apes are born unable to care for themselves and need care for many years before they can live independently. Gorillas and chimpanzees live in small family groups, with males often helping to lead the group.

Legal status

Main articles: Great ape personhood, Great Ape Project, and Countries banning non-human ape experimentation

Because humans and great apes are closely related, some animal rights groups think great apes should have basic human rights. In 1999, New Zealand was the first country to stop all experiments on great apes. Now, 29 countries have laws to protect them from scientific testing.

In 2008, Spain made it illegal to use apes in circuses, TV ads, or films. In 2010, the European Union also stopped testing on great apes.

Conservation

The table below shows the number of great apes living outside of zoos. Great apes include orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and humans. These numbers help scientists learn how many of these animals are left in the wild and what we can do to protect them.

Phylogeny

The Hominidae family, also called hominids, includes the great apes. Today, there are eight living species in four groups: Pongo (orangutans), Gorilla (gorillas), Pan (chimpanzees and bonobos), and Homo (humans).

Over millions of years, these species evolved from one ancestor. The orangutans split off first, then the gorillas, then the chimpanzees and bonobos. Humans came last. Many older species are known from fossils, showing the long history of life in this family.