Evolution question?

Question

if monkeys evoluted into people, then why are there still monkeys? that's what i don't get.

Answer 1

People and monkeys share a common ancestor. That ancestor became both monkeys and humans. Today, there are none of that ancestor left. Most people refer to them as "monkeys" because they believe that's what they looked like, but that is entirely beside the point. We also shared an ancestor that looked like an amoeba. =)

Answer 2

I was really hoping this wasn't a reiteration of this tired insincere 'question'.

A. Monkeys, apes and hominids (humans and human ancestor species) are separate branches on the primate family tree. Essentially the existing species are cousins of one another.

B. You don't get or you don't want to get? Be honest now. This isn't an expression of a hatred of science 'cause the preacher man sez it's against god is it?

C. It could best be explained by analogy. Evolutionary divergence is like a religious groups schism into different religions or denominations. Christianity didn't entirely replace Judaism, Protestantism didn't entirely replace Catholicism. All three still exist, they diverged from ona another in the past and share a common ancestry in the same way living primate species share a common ancestry.

Biological evolution does not say that individuals of a living species are the ancestors of another living species. If you really think that's what it says you have a great deal more to learn. I suggest you start by laying aside the ridiculous caricature of evolution that's been foisted upon you by creationist partisans.

Answer 3

I'm no expert but from what i understand humans didn't evolve from monkeys they evolved from primates which the monkey species along with the humans belong to. Why one species evolves and another is unknown to me but it happens. Evolution is not just a theory it's a proven fact that can be seen in many species alive today and that lived in the past. Maybe some others will provide better sources for this question. Sorry.

Answer 4

Monkeys did not evolve into humans. Humans, monkeys, other primates, and several other creatures evolved from a common ancestor. Carpolestes simpsoni did not have forward facing eyes for binocular vision, a feature of monkeys. Every surviving line (most lines are extinct) desceded from this ancient creature continues to evolve.

Answer 5

Think of evolution as more of the transformation (because of mutation, genetic drift, etc.) of a species, rather than of a higher taxonomical group (i.e. Phylum, Genus, Family, etc.).

When presented to new environmental factors, each individual of a species must adapt to survive ("survival of the fittest").

Over time, this can lead to the creation of a new species or the extinction of an old one--because they didn't adapt.

If one species of shark were to evolve into another (and new) one, the other species of shark still remain. Because of the localization of evolutionary factors, species living in the same region are affected by the same environmental factors. However, there are exceptions to this rule--just look at the relatively sudden extinction of the nearly all of the dinosaurs (the survivors evolved and "took flight"). Species, by definition, are "specific" and localized to "specific" regions (as opposed to Genus, or "generic").

Note that there are many who call evolution a "theory." This is an incorrect assumption. Evolution is fact and is supported by hard scientific evidence. "Survival of the Fittest," however, is a theory (although much evidence has supported this theory).

Answer 6

Evolution allows animals to evolve into new niches. Only the "monkeys" leaving the trees for the ground became bipedal apes. The monkeys in the trees evolved much more slowly because they were essentially evolved for tree life so didn't need to change much. Evolution is driven by selection. There is very little selection in the trees because the monkey is already adapted. When they leave the tree, they need to change greatly to be ideal. There is a greater opportunity for selection.

Answer 7

Humans did not evolve from monkeys, though they have similar ancestors somewhere back in time. Evolution just means change - it doesn't mean that living things are progressing to a "higher" form of being - perhaps more complex, but that's all. Sometimes, it's the opposite - viruses are believed to have been more complex organisms, but they evolved into simpler forms because it benefited their survival.

Answer 8

How about the fact that there is no evolution and that GOD created monkeys and humans seperately?!

The earth is 8000 years old, not 4 billion!!!
Everything was created, not evolved!!!
Humans didn't come from monkeys!!!
The Earth was not an accident, it was created by the one and only GOD!!!!!

Answer 9

Monkeys and people have common ancestors. A geographic, genetic, and/ or environmental change provided the evolutionary pressure that sundered the two organisms and kept them developing apart

Answer 10

Monkeys didn't evolve into people.