Are monkeys the same as apes?

No, monkeys and apes are not the same, although they are both primates. They are distinct groups within the primate order. Here's the key difference:

* Monkeys have tails, apes do not.

Here's a breakdown:

Monkeys:

* New World Monkeys: Found in Central and South America. Have prehensile tails (tails that can grasp).

* Old World Monkeys: Found in Africa and Asia. Have non-prehensile tails (tails that cannot grasp).

Apes:

* Great Apes: Include gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and humans.

* Lesser Apes: Include gibbons and siamangs.

So, while monkeys and apes share a common ancestor, they have evolved along different paths, resulting in distinct physical characteristics.