Animals (and plants) that are genetically similar to humans

On a genetic level, humans actually share a surprising amount of DNA with a whole bunch of living things; some that walk, some that fly, and some that even do photosynthesis! Our genes, those little codes that make us who we are, aren’t as unique as we’d like to think. In fact, they’re shared across species in ways that are both mind-blowing and slightly hilarious.

Chimpanzees
No surprise here! Chimps are practically our siblings in the evolutionary tree. We share about 98.8% of our DNA with chimpanzees, which is why they’re often used in behavioral and medical research. They laugh, use tools, have complex emotions, and even show signs of self-awareness. Fun fact? Chimps can recognize themselves in mirrors, just like humans. That tiny 1.2% difference in DNA?

BonobosBonobos are often called the “hippies” of the primate world. While chimps are more aggressive, bonobos solve problems with hugs, cuddles, and a whole lot of affection. Genetically, they’re almost tied with chimpanzees in similarity to us—around 98.7%. Bonobos also walk upright more often than chimps and have facial expressions eerily similar to humans. If chimps are our cousins, bonobos are the chill ones at the family reunion.

GorillaJust a few genetic tweaks away from us, gorillas share about 98.4% of their DNA with humans. They live in family groups, grieve for their dead, and even use rudimentary sign language when trained. Koko the gorilla, for example, learned over 1,000 signs in American Sign Language and could understand spoken English. They’re like the quiet uncles—massive, wise, and a little misunderstood.

Orangutans
Orangutans are a little more distant genetically but still about 97% similar. Known for their intelligence and calm demeanor, these red-haired apes have long been admired for their problem-solving abilities. They use leaves as umbrellas and sticks to extract insects. They even have cultural behaviors that vary from one group to another—just like human traditions. Their thoughtful expressions almost make you wonder what they’re thinking… taxes? Relationships? The meaning of life?

MouseBelieve it or not, house mice share about 85% of our genes. They might look nothing like us, but their organs, immune systems, and many cellular functions are surprisingly similar. That’s why they’re the go-to species for scientific and medical research.

DogsWe don’t just emotionally bond with dogs—they’re genetically close too. Humans share about 84% of their DNA with dogs. That’s probably why dogs are so good at understanding human emotions and social cues. Dogs also suffer from many of the same diseases, from cancer to heart problems. They really are man’s best friend, even down to the cellular level.

PigsPigs are shockingly close to humans in terms of organ size, skin structure, and certain genetic sequences. While the overall DNA similarity is around 80%, some genes involved in immune function and metabolism are up to 98% similar to humans. That’s why pig heart valves are often used in human transplants—and why there’s ongoing research into pig-to-human organ donation (xenotransplantation).

Fruit flies
It’s wild, but humans share about 60% of their genes with fruit flies. These tiny buzzing bugs have been a staple of genetic research for over a century. Despite being small, their genetic makeup has helped scientists understand development, aging, and even cancer.

Zebrafish
Zebrafish are increasingly used in labs because about 70% of human genes have a counterpart in zebrafish. Even more impressively, 84% of genes known to be linked to human disease have a zebrafish equivalent. They’re like the tiny underwater superheroes of the research world.

BananasThis one always raises eyebrows: humans share about 60% of their DNA with bananas. It sounds wild, but it’s true. Much of this shared DNA relates to basic cellular functions like growth and energy conversion. Of course, bananas don’t have brains or lungs or opinions but at the molecular level, we’ve got a lot in common.

CornMaize (corn) and humans share more than 60% of the same DNA. It shows how many genes are involved in fundamental life functions like cell repair, replication, and metabolism.