How Closely Related Are Humans to Apes?

We share a common ancestor, but followed a different evolutionary path.

By Nathaniel Scharping
Apr 21, 2020 3:00 PMApr 22, 2020 7:21 PM
walking upright apes crossing the road wildlife - shutterstock
Chimpanzees shown crossing a road. (Credit: CherylRamalho/Shutterstock)

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To be human is to be a primate. Humans and chimpanzees, apes, tarsiers, vervets and more all share a common ancestor, and we’re clustered closely together on the tree of life.

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