Normal apes are Large?

[Klaus]

Apes could be done with Powerful Build. I'd also give Powerful Build to Bugbears, incidently...

 

[Quasqueton]

What is Powerful Build?

Quasqueton

 

[Klaus]

Special Quality first introduced in Races of Stone, for the Goliath.

In short, it allows a creature to operate as if one size larger. Space/Reach remain the same, but it can wield larger weapons, it gets a size bonus to Grapple and stuff like that.

 

[Staffan]

It's a special ability possessed by half-giants (from the Expanded psionics handbook) and, I think, by goliaths (from Races of Stone). Basically, it makes you half a step larger. You can use larger weapons, and are considered larger for the purpose of opposed checks (e.g. grappling) and certain special abilities (e.g. Swallow whole), but it does not change your reach or space.