Subscribe now
Unlike in other primates, the human voice box has lost small tissue structures called vocal membranes, which may have been involved in the evolution of speech

Losing parts of our voice box may have helped humans evolve to speak

11 August 2022

Unlike people, 43 species of monkeys and apes are known to have so-called vocal membranes, which may prevent them from having precise voice control
Chimpanzees and a child

We may have a basic form of sign language in common with chimpanzees

13 September 2019

People seem to be able to understand gestures made by chimpanzees, suggesting the signals may be remnants of a basic sign language used by our last common ancestors
A young juvenile male bonobo is groomed by his mom in the Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve.

Bonobo mothers stand guard and chase off rivals while their sons mate

20 May 2019

Bonobo mothers help their sons with hook-ups, guard the young lovers while they mate, and even haul rival males off females mid-sex
Monkeys on Monkey Island

Monkeys seem to prefer each other's company after a scary experience

5 May 2019

Rhesus macaques appear to have become closer to each other after hurricane Maria devastated their island home in the Caribbean

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop