All 5 Great Apes Ranked by How Dangerous They Are

The great apes are a powerful and intelligent family of primates that includes gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos – and us, humans. Despite our shared evolutionary roots, each species behaves very differently in the wild. While some are known for peaceful group bonding, others are more prone to violence, even against their own kind. From peaceful forest dwellers to creatures with war-like tendencies, the danger levels across the great ape family vary more than most people realize.

This list ranks all eight great apes, from the least to the most dangerous, based on size, strength, temperament, and their history of aggression toward other animals and humans. Keep in mind: “dangerous” doesn’t mean “evil” or “bad” – it simply means they have the capacity to cause harm under the right (or wrong) circumstances. Let’s get started with the most laid-back ape on the list.

1. Bonobo

Despite being one of our closest relatives, the bonobo might be the least threatening of all the great apes. Often referred to as the “hippie chimp,” bonobos are known more for their peaceful, affectionate behavior than any acts of aggression. These primates live in matriarchal societies where females hold leadership roles, and they are famous for using intimacy as a method of conflict resolution and social bonding.

That doesn’t mean bonobo life is entirely free of violence. When rival groups clash, things can turn fatal. Bonobos have also been observed hunting smaller animals such as rodents and antelope. Still, they’re considerably smaller and less muscular than common chimpanzees, and while a few attacks on humans have been documented, none have resulted in fatalities. Their naturally calm nature and lower aggression levels firmly place them at the bottom of this danger list.

2. Orangutan

Massive, shaggy, and deeply solitary, orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling mammals in the world. There are three species – the Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli – and while they vary slightly in size and appearance, they all share one key trait: a generally non-aggressive demeanor. Despite their incredible strength – adult males can weigh up to 250 pounds – these apes rarely pose any danger to humans.

Most orangutan attacks have only occurred in captivity, usually as a result of stress or poor conditions. In the wild, they avoid confrontation and spend most of their lives alone in the treetops, far from human activity. Though they can hunt small prey like slow lorises or rodents, their primary diet is plant-based. With no confirmed fatal attacks on humans, orangutans are gentle giants who prefer to mind their own business.

3. Gorilla

Gorillas are the heavyweight champions of the great ape family. Adult males, especially silverbacks, are capable of reaching 600 pounds and are equipped with powerful jaws and enormous strength. But despite their intimidating size, gorillas are surprisingly calm. They travel in family groups and are generally peaceful unless they feel threatened.

Most gorilla attacks on humans occur in captivity, often triggered by stress or territorial behavior. Wild gorillas may display chest-beating or charging behaviors to scare off threats, but they rarely follow through with actual attacks. Even when fighting each other, they typically avoid lethal force. In a zoo setting, gorilla attacks can be serious – like one incident in Madrid where a zookeeper was left with open fractures – but they remain rare exceptions.

If gorillas were naturally more aggressive, they’d easily be near the top of this list due to their sheer power. But their shy and conflict-averse nature keeps them comfortably in the middle.

4. Chimpanzee

Chimpanzees are fascinating creatures – smart, social, and highly adaptable. But they’re also known for being surprisingly violent, even within their own communities. Chimps are strong, territorial, and capable of planning organized attacks. In fact, one documented chimpanzee war lasted four years and wiped out every adult male in one group.

They also hunt other primates, including young gorillas, and are one of the few non-human animals known to wage war. While wild chimpanzees rarely attack humans, captive chimps are a different story. They’ve been involved in horrific incidents, including one where a pet chimpanzee mauled a woman and left her permanently disfigured. These apes are unpredictable and can turn violent quickly – especially when kept as pets or forced into unnatural environments.

Because of their intelligence, strength, and history of aggression, chimpanzees earn a high spot on this list – second only to the most destructive great ape of all.

5. Human

We don’t like to admit it, but humans are by far the deadliest great ape on Earth. No other species has caused more ecological destruction, species extinction, or widespread violence than us. While we often view ourselves as superior due to our intelligence and technology, we’ve also used those tools to dominate every other animal on the planet – including our fellow apes.

Humans are responsible for destroying the habitats of orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees. We hunt some species for bush meat, trap others for illegal trade, and continue to decimate ecosystems they depend on for survival. Our wars, weapons, and industry have made us the apex predators of the modern age. In terms of sheer impact, no other primate comes close.

It’s a sobering realization, but it’s the truth: when it comes to danger, we top the list.

Intelligence and Tool Use Among Great Apes

One of the most fascinating and underappreciated traits shared by all great apes is their capacity for problem-solving and tool use. While humans are obviously the most advanced in this regard, chimpanzees and orangutans have also displayed remarkable ingenuity. Chimpanzees use sticks to fish termites out of mounds and stones to crack nuts. Orangutans have been observed crafting leaf “umbrellas” to shield themselves from rain, and some even use sticks to extract seeds from fruit. 

Even bonobos, often overshadowed by their more aggressive cousins, have demonstrated the ability to use simple tools in captivity. This shared intelligence not only points to a deep evolutionary connection but also complicates the idea of “dangerous” behavior – it’s not mindless aggression but often calculated, situational, and in some species, entirely avoidable.

Social Structures Vary Wildly Between Species

While strength and aggression might dominate conversations about danger, social structure plays a huge role in how great apes interact with one another – and with humans. Bonobos live in female-led groups that promote bonding through affection. Chimpanzees, by contrast, maintain strict male-dominated hierarchies and are known to form coalitions to gain or defend status. 

Gorillas live in cohesive family units led by a dominant silverback who rarely uses force unless absolutely necessary. Orangutans, meanwhile, live almost completely solitary lives, with adult males roaming vast territories alone. These differences affect how these apes react to threats, including humans, and explain why some species may lash out more readily than others. It’s not just about muscle – group dynamics matter.

Captivity Skews the Danger Scale

Many of the most well-known attacks by apes on humans haven’t happened in the wild at all – they’ve taken place in captivity. From gorillas at zoos to chimpanzees kept as exotic pets, placing these animals in unnatural environments often leads to stress, boredom, and unpredictability. A gorilla raised in a zoo may appear docile until something suddenly triggers a defensive or territorial response. 

Chimpanzees in captivity, especially those kept as pets, are notorious for becoming aggressive as they age, often because they’re denied normal social interaction with their own kind. These incidents shouldn’t be used to judge the entire species but rather as cautionary examples of what happens when powerful animals are forced into unnatural roles. Captivity doesn’t necessarily make apes more dangerous – it just reveals how poorly they adapt to being treated like something they’re not.

Why Great Apes Matter More Than Ever

Ranking apes by danger can be interesting, but it also highlights how little we really understand – or appreciate – the complex lives of these creatures. Nearly all great apes are endangered or critically endangered. Habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade have pushed many to the brink.

And while some might see them as threats, most great apes are just trying to survive. They live in tight social groups, form deep emotional bonds, and demonstrate intelligence in ways we’re only beginning to grasp. From using tools to grieving their dead, apes exhibit behaviors that are strikingly human.

In fact, it’s that closeness to us that makes their plight so tragic. These aren’t alien creatures from another world. They’re family. Distant, wild cousins – yes – but family nonetheless.

The Real Danger

When we talk about how dangerous great apes are, the conversation often reflects more about human fear than animal behavior. Sure, gorillas can crush bones, and chimps can launch surprise attacks – but most of the time, they don’t. Most of these animals only resort to violence when provoked, cornered, or taken out of their natural environments.

The real danger lies not in the apes themselves, but in how we treat them. With habitat loss, illegal trade, and climate change all accelerating, we’re not just endangering individual apes – we’re threatening entire species. And with that, we’re also losing a piece of ourselves.

So the next time you see a gorilla beating its chest or a chimp swinging through the trees, remember: these aren’t monsters. They’re mirrors.

And maybe, just maybe, the most dangerous animal in the jungle isn’t the one staring at you from the trees – but the one staring back in the mirror.