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by Friartuck on March 26th, 2007
This has been asked and answered a billion times on this site...
We didn't evolve from the apes - we ARE apes - just a very specific kind. Us and the other ones around here evolved from something else, a couple million years ago, that was a little like both.
We humans filled a different niche to the others and we evolved in a different direction. We fill our niche very well. They fill theirs very well too.
by Joseph Peacock on November 21st, 2005
Presumably your question refers to the theory of evolution by natural selection, in which case, yes it does explain the continued existence of monkeys. Monkeys are still around because they continue to be suited to life in their envirnoment. They have evolved the means of moving around in their habitats, the ability to procure food from the plants and animals in the area where they live and the physiological ability to acquire nuturients from that food, the ability to defend themselves against outside threats, etc.
If your question instead is meant to imply that, if humans evolved from monkeys, monkey should not exist, then your understanding of evolution is not complete.
A. Humans did not evolve from monkeys. Humans evolved from earlier primates, as did monkeys.
B. Evolution is not linear. Think of it more like a branching tree. Many species may eventually come from one. If the parent species develops slight differences in its population, those differences may lead to different advantages, which may lead to bigger differences, and so on, until eventually, the original species is no longer recognizable in the resulting organisms, and we have multiple species.
by Sunblynd 5.0 on June 29th, 2007
Humans are a part of a classification of apes called the Hominidae. This class consists of Chimpanzee, Orangutang, and Gorilla, which are our closest relatives. The main reason why most of these species still exist today is because their habitats have been well isolated from large populations of humans. They are fierce defenders of their territory and can dismember an unarmed human with their bare hands, even if a human is armed, these great apes are formidable foes to reckon with. Many of these species tend to avoid man whenever possible, and won't attack unless provoked or defending their territory, most unprovoked attacks are due to man's encrouchment onto the territory of a given clan. These apes are only doing what is instinctive to their nature, humans also behave in a similar nature as well, in case you haven't noticed.
Mankind did not descend directly from apes, we actually descended from neaderthal, neanderthal man is pointed out as descending directly from apes, the Ponginae a relative of modern orangutan. Humans killed off neanderthal through superior intellect, for more information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hominidae
by Miss Awesome on January 17th, 2009
Humans did not evolve from present-day apes. Rather, humans and apes share a common ancestor that gave rise to both. This common ancestor, although not identical to modern apes, was almost certainly more apelike than humanlike in appearance and behavior. At some point -- scientists estimate that between 5 and 8 million years ago -- this species diverged into two distinct lineages, one of which were the hominids, or humanlike species, and the other ultimately evolved into the African great ape species living today.
by Im Alec has abandoned this account on November 20th, 2006
Why are there still Europeans as well as (Caucasian) Americans? Why ate there still Africans when there are (Black) Americans? There is no reason why a descendant species should replace its predecessor.
What usually happens is a species splits. Perhaps they move into two distinct areas, separated by a barrier such as a river or mountain range. Perhaps the habitat splits - one group stay in the trees and the other moves out onto the plains, as is believed to have happened to the ape/chimp common ancestor. There are also genetic ways a species can split.
Whatever happens, the two groups, superficially identical, become reproductively separated, and subject to different pressures. These different pressures cause them to evolve differently, and when after millions of years they meet again, they have become different species and no longer interbreed. Both will have changed from their common ancestor, but some more than others. This neither we not chimpanzees are the same as out common ancestor, but we believe that we have changed more than they have. Possibly because they stayed put while we moved into a different habitat where we had to be cleverer to stay alive.
Of course, after most branchings, one branch or the other dies out, so we just see the one species changing smoothly. But branching events are common enough to create new species every time a new opportunity appears.
by Im Alec has abandoned this account on January 17th, 2009
If Americans descended from Europeans and Africans, why are there still Europeans and Africans? If dogs evolved from wolves, why are there still wolves? If we all evolved from bacteria, why are there still bacteria?
Species split, from time to time. Often, but not always, from moving to a different environment. Either species may change significantly, stay the same, or go extinct. After humans and apes split from their common, ape-like, ancestors, chimps and gorillas remained roughly similar. Humans developed significantly; sever different types of human-like species developed, but then went extinct. The same is probably true for the apes. But four species of ape, and one of human, survived.
by Mastodon on May 10th, 2008
We did not evolve form monkeys we share a common ancestor, which is often called the missing link because no one has found fossils of it yet.
by greenstone on May 10th, 2008
Because people didnt evolve from monkeys. Yes our genetics are nearly identicle but only NEARLY. There are still a few genes in the genetic code that are only found in either monkeys OR humans.
by Twhupfold on June 29th, 2007
We descended from a 'kind' of ape NOT one of the apes you see around the world today.
Humans ARE apes, gorillas ARE apes, Chimp's ARE apes, etc.
In the distant past none of these apes existed, instead there were less evolved apes from which the modern apes descended.
Hope this helps you understand the subtle mistake many people make here : )
by DavidHume on January 26th, 2007
All animals have evolved into their present forms. The second part of your question seems to contain a faulty assumption that humans are in some sense the ultimate "aim" of evolution. They are not. Monkeys evolved to be good at living in their particular environment, just as we did.
by Empress of Everything Ever on March 26th, 2007
Because we branched off the tree of life, and they continued on their original path.
We are a new twig.
Will be survive long enough to form a main branch or shall we be nipped in the bud, so to speak?
by unknown on March 23rd, 2007
That is not what the Theory of Evolution claims. It claims that all primates evolved from a common ancestor not from each other. Apes are believed to be the group that split from the primate tree the most recently and are therefore more closely related to man. Chimps being the closest and Bonobo or Pygmy Chimps the closest still, sharing more than 98 % of our DNA.
by Dideedidi on January 26th, 2007
Evolution or the Darwin theory is much to complex to answer in short here but most animals have evolved and adapted in order to survive. There is also the selective evolution of horse breeding and dog breeding which are other forms of evolution all be it man made and not natural - evolution has most definitely happened.
by Godfather Part II on April 13th, 2006
Firstly humans did not evolve from monkeys, we share a common ancestor. But I will address the question why is this common ancestor still around? Evolution does not follow a line. It branches by a method called "speciation". That is-
A group of individuals from a species live in an area
A few individuals move to a different area (they may get lost, forced to move by a storm etc)
This small group is reproductively isolated from the others.
They are in a different habitat with different selection pressures (problems they must overcome in everyday life)
They evolve different adaptations through genetic mutation
After a period of time, and sufficient change, even if they come back into contact with the original group they are too different to interbreed.
Hence a new species is formed with the other species still intact.
by AnonymousGirl on May 10th, 2008
I have asked myself and others the same question. Humans didn't evolve from monkeys. I just don't buy it. It makes no sense to me whatsoever and it never has. No one has ever been able to convince me that it does make sense.
by Brian I on June 29th, 2007
I believe that the theory is that both apes and man developed from a common ancestor and not that we developed from apes, merely ape-like creatures.
by Kevisaurus is a Carnotaurus today on March 26th, 2007
I firmly believe in evolution. All things have branced out and continue to evolve through the process of mutation. It usually takes a sever drop in population, a cataclysmic event that tests the mettle of a species allowing the fittest to survive. We are the end result of millenia of perfecting from protohumans up unto the stage we are now. We will continue to evolve possibly into a superhuman species one day down the road. this I am sure of.
by Anonymous on March 23rd, 2007
If Americans came from Europe, why are there still Europeans?
by Empress of Everything Ever on March 23rd, 2007
We branched off...that's why they are still there.
Those from which we evolved/changed are gone, well, actually, no they haven't gone, we're here.
by Seraphim Shinobi on March 23rd, 2007
because we didn't evolve from monkeys/apes, we evolved from ape-like creatures. apes and monkeys just evolved differently to us.
by Halskiisaklink on February 27th, 2007
We didn't evolve from any of the species still around today - they're kinda like 'cousins' to us, rather than mothers or fathers.
by Rinky Dinky Do on February 27th, 2009
So that they can come to AB and ask questions like this
by Lady Alathia of Vulcan on February 27th, 2009
Common. Ancestor.
NOT APES.
I SO wish I could imprint that in a wiffle-ball-bat to beat people over the head with.
by Chezter is going to save the Redheads on January 17th, 2009
Apes and Humans evolved from another primate, we beez cuzzins
by themyelinsheath on January 17th, 2009
The apes evolved from prehistoric Apes, to modern Apes,
Just as Horses have evolved from prehistoric Horses.
by Rechoryan on May 28th, 2008
Scientist don't say we came from monkeys, scientist say we came from a common ancestor that we share with the monkeys. That argument isn't really valid when it comes to talking creation vs. evolution. I don't believe we all came from a common ancestor, but your argument is not a valid one in this case.
by Abbra gone Underground on May 17th, 2008
Perhaps monkeys and apes have evolved from humans! Sometimes it definitely appears that way.
I think baboons are great! :D
by The Special One on May 17th, 2008
HOLY SHIT NOBODY HAS EVER THOUGHT OF THAT EVER. YOU, SIR, HAVE DEBUNKED THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION.
LET'S GET THIS MAN A MEDAL.
by Kevisaurus is a Carnotaurus today on May 12th, 2008
People never evolved from monkeys.
Monkeys branched off from the primates that apes and
namely chimpanzees are from. In no way have people
ever evolved from monkeys.
by Kal-El on May 12th, 2008
Good question.
by purplepickleater on May 10th, 2008
why are there chimps and baboons? sand sharks and grate whites?
killer whales and hump backs?
tabby cats and lions?
if only one kind of animal is necessary than why diversity? specialization maybe? evolution to meet that need.
by SkysNet on May 10th, 2008
Because no one says we evolved from monkeys. We ARE the great apes.
the same way there are different kinds of monkeys, we are also one variation and because of the circumstances (not being very strong, or having any descent defense mechanism) we ended up developing much larger brains and therefore being capable of doing more.
In genetics sense, the active genes between us and a chimpanzee is roughly 4 percent.
For those of you that don't buy it, well do some research and then decide, dont take eaither sides' answer bluntly
by Starmaster on May 10th, 2008
The best analogy is the "family" one. Monkeys are like our cousins. They kept multiplying as we did, but they evolved from the same species and went separate ways.
by Midnighttoker on August 30th, 2007
to save the gene pool.
by Brian I on March 23rd, 2007
Humans and apes evolved from a common ancestor. We didn't evolve from apes as they exist today, but from an animal quite similar to both of us.
by Universe Of Life on January 26th, 2007
Evolution takes millions of years
don't sit around waiting for changes you will waste a whole lotta time.
by OldCW wears The COAT of the Cosmos on April 20th, 2010
Evolutionary theory does not say that man evolved from apes. Evolution says that man and apes have a common ancestor. In fact, every living thing on earth is related genetically to each other, it's just that apes and man diverged relatively late in the evolution game and therefore have a lot in common. (99% of our DNA matches.)
by Mike81069 on April 20th, 2010
Evolution says we evolved from a common ancestor of apes, not apes themselves.
by Im Alec has abandoned this account on April 20th, 2010
If Americans evolved from Europeans and Africans, why are there still Europeans and Africans. Evolution evolves splitting and divergence. One group of apes came down from the trees and found a different way of living, which ultimately succeeded very well. But their brothers and sisters remained happily in the trees, where they still are. There is no plan for evolution. Species constantly multiply and go extinct. Each time a new species emerges, the old one remains. Ether or both may go extinct - or not. Chance rules.
by iwnit on February 10th, 2010
Evolutionists evolved from creationists and we still have creationists.
by Derf on February 8th, 2010
Since this is a theory that you have made up (i.e. that man evolved from monkeys and apes), why do you not just come up with your own answer.
Now if you thought you were referring to the Darwin's Theory of Evolution, nowhere does Darwin conclude that man descended from monkeys and apes but that man, monkeys, apes, frogs, trees, algae, etc. all at some point have a common ancestor.
by cloudman on February 8th, 2010
I have been under the impression that man did NOT evolve from monkeys and/or apes but that we had a common ancestor. Is that not correct? I know that Darwin gets a bad rap because I don't think you can find one single passage in his writings where he said the we came from either monkeys or apes. People quote him as saying that but I'll bet they can't find a source. Try it.
At one time there were no land plants or animals. The only life was in the sea. So I suppose it's safe to say that we have a common ancestor with tuna. What do you think?
by President Norris 2016 on February 8th, 2010
Exactly my thoughts; makes about as much sense as a supreme being magically making us from dust
by Ryan Smith on April 19th, 2009
This is a common but wrong way of looking at this. Evolution is basically supposed to be branching rather than linear otherwise there would only be one species existing today, likely a bacterium.
by Ryan Smith on March 31st, 2009
Evolution is not a linear "change and replace" thing, different species just evolve from common ancestors.
by Shane_L on February 23rd, 2009
That is like asking if you're descendant from your grandparents why are your grandparents still alive. Just because one species of animals branches off from another species doesn't mean that the proto species is no longer suitable to their environment.
by kakskee on December 12th, 2008
Intelligent design people evolved from creationists and there is still an abundance of creationists.
by Anonymous on July 3rd, 2008
They found their niche in their own specific habitats, and didn't need to change much to survive.
We didn't really evolve directly from them (according to the Theory). More like from a common hominid ancestor.
by 23Skidoo on May 30th, 2008
This question keeps popping up. All it does is show the sad ignorance of things scientific - especially evolution.
It's the best reason I see for demanding better science education in public schools.
Gets my -3
by Wide Awake @ has closing date woo hoo on May 12th, 2008
Because we evolved from a common ancestor.
You could ask the same question - "If my 2nd cousins and I both descended from our common great-grandparents, why are there no great-grandparents of mine left?"
The evolution from our common ancestor, who was BOTH monkey-like and human-like, of course took much more than three generations.
If man has evolved from the monkey, why are there so many different species of monkeys, yet, only one of man; is there a difference?
by TrueSeeker on December 15th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Can anyone provide a brief summary of the evolution theory?
by Eddie Cairns on November 19th, 2011
| 5 people like this
From an evolutionary perspective, why are watermelons red on the inside?
by omniflair on November 20th, 2011
| 2 people like this
Did we invent evolution?
by Cal on December 10th, 2011
| 2 people like this
If homosapiens were indeed "homo"sapiens, is that why they went extinct?
by Xiggeh on November 20th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
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Comments
PFFT I AM NOT A APE! ...:)
by Lablah on March 26th, 2007
Last time I checked, I wasn't an ape either. LOL
by chick98 on March 26th, 2007
we too cool to be butt ugly apes :)
by Lablah on March 26th, 2007
What, no bright red bum whenever you're in heat?
by Friartuck on March 26th, 2007
no..
by Lablah on March 26th, 2007
Why was there a need for humans to fill a niche? What niche did we fill?
by John Pacella on May 10th, 2007
Not a 'need' as such. Theory goes that we developed in the plains of Africa. Groups were better at surviving there than others (perhaps stood a bit more upright etc.). Then pattern recognition, group strategy and tool-making became important - as we were smaller and weaker than predators - the ones that could spot something quickly and had ways to deal with predators did better. And so on and so on...
by Friartuck on May 10th, 2007
At some point our brain development reached a point where we were able to begin making serious changes to our environment to suit us. From then on we dominated.
We fill the "so smart we change it all to suit ourselves" niche so well no other animal can challenge us for it!
Extremely simplistic explanation - but that's the basics.
by Friartuck on May 10th, 2007
Pleas stop saying we are apes friar, it's driving me nuts and making all evolutionists look like fools. We are not apes. Go to an online encyclopedia and look it up. You might as well be saying we are lemurs. We are both primates, but not apes.
by jno on December 21st, 2007
Well, according to Robin Dubar, Professor of Evolution at Liverpool University in his book "The Human Story", we belong to the "Ape" genus...
by Friartuck on February 2nd, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_ape
.
Yeah...we are apes. I know it's not pretty to some people but that doesn't change the facts.
by Aquatic Eagle on October 2nd, 2008
It's true. Just recently, some scientists are actually starting to classify humans as the "third type of chimpanzee". People just can't deal with the fact that the human species is not the most important thing in the universe. We are tiny, we haven't been around very long and in the grand scheme of things we really are not that important.
by kirababe on October 28th, 2008
True dat.
by Aquatic Eagle on October 28th, 2008
cheers
by kirababe on October 28th, 2008
yeah, dammit, I'm proud to be primate. An Lablah, it's "AN" ape not "A" ape, you ape!
by Countess Crapula on February 23rd, 2009