Ape behavior is advanced and complex. Social strategies differ, from the semi-solitary orangutans, to chimpanzees living in loose groups of up to 100 individuals. One commonality is the bond between mother and infant. Ape diets are primarily based on fruits and plants, with insects and small vertebrates often supplementing.

Apes are generally more intelligent than monkeys, and most species of apes exhibit some use of tools. While both monkeys and apes can use sounds and gestures to communicate, apes have demonstrated higher ability with language, and some individual apes have been trained to learn human sign languages.