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UPSC Prelims 2008 · Environment · Species Watch
Among the following, which one is not an ape?
- (a) Gibbon
- (b) Gorilla
- (c) Langur
- (d) Orangutan
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Langur
Langurs are monkeys — they have long tails.
The idea
The quickest test: most monkeys have a tail, apes do not. Apes also have longer arms and a larger brain.
Lorises and lemurs: the early primates → Monkeys: most have tails → langur, macaque → Lesser apes: gibbons → Great apes: orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, bonobo → Humans
Why the others are wrong
(a) Gibbons are apes (lesser apes).
(b) Gorillas are great apes.
(d) Orangutans are great apes.
Also know
Langurs of India: Hanuman (grey) langur, Nilgiri langur, golden langur (only in western Assam and Bhutan, Endangered) and capped langur.
🔒 Apes (no tail): gibbon, orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, bonobo. India’s only ape: hoolock gibbon.