Will Monkeys Ever Become Human? Which one is smartest?

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June 21, 2025

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First of all, not all of them are “monkeys”

When people ask, “Which monkey is the smartest?”—they’re often unknowingly mixing up different types of primates. So let’s clear this up:

Primates are a large order of mammals that includes monkeys, apes, and humans.
Monkeys include New World monkeys (like Capuchins) and Old World monkeys (like Rhesus Macaques).
Apes include chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans—and humans.
Humans are not monkeys, but we share common ancestors with them.

So now that we’ve got the groups right, let’s look at which species are considered the most intelligent.

🧠 Smartest Primates: The Big Picture

When scientists study intelligence, they look at:

Tool use
Social complexity
Memory & problem-solving
Communication ability
Cultural learning

Here’s how some primates rank:

🥇 1. Chimpanzees (Ape, not monkey)

Use tools in the wild
Can recognize themselves in mirrors
Beat humans in certain memory tests
Understand cause-effect and even basic “language” signs

🥈 2. Bonobos (Ape)

Highly emotionally intelligent
Cooperative and peaceful
Learn by observation

🥉 3. Orangutans (Ape)

Solve problems creatively
Can plan ahead
Make tools from leaves and sticks

✅ Smartest Actual Monkeys

🔹 Capuchin Monkeys (New World Monkey)

Known for using tools (e.g., cracking nuts with rocks)
High problem-solving ability
Use social manipulation (like trading favors)

🔹 Rhesus Macaques (Old World Monkey)

Strong in memory-based tasks
Understand social hierarchies
Used in many cognitive neuroscience studies

🔹 Baboons

Excellent long-term memory
Understand group politics
Can remember faces and social bonds for years

🔹 Vervet Monkeys

Have distinct warning calls for different predators
Young ones learn this like language
Adapted communication skills

👶 Were Humans Once Like Monkeys?

Yes. Humans evolved from primate ancestors over millions of years.

Around 25 million years ago, the ape line split from monkey ancestors.
6–7 million years ago, early humans split from chimpanzee ancestors.
Over time, we developed:
- Bigger brains
- Language
- Fire and tools
- Societies and culture

So yes, our ancestors were once ape-like—living in trees, walking on all fours, and much more primitive.

But remember: we didn’t evolve from modern monkeys. We shared a common ancestor with them.

🔮 Can Monkeys Evolve Into Humans in the Future?

It’s a common myth, but no, modern monkeys will not become human. Here’s why:

Evolution is not a straight ladder aiming for “human” as the final goal.
Each species evolves based on its own environment and needs.
For a monkey species to evolve human-like intelligence, it would require:
- Massive environmental pressure
- Long-term survival
- Opportunities for tool use, language, and culture

That said, some species like Capuchins and Chimps show promising traits. But if they evolve further, they’ll become something new—not a copy of humans.