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Primates are mammals
that includes prosimians
and simians.
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Primate
Classification:
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Primates
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The order of primates
includes: humans,
apes, monkeys, and
prosimians.There
is little agreement
in the number of
species included
in the primate family,
some say there are
as few as 190 species
while others boast
350 species.
The Order Primates
is divided into
two Suborders. The
first suborder is
the Strepsirhini
(also known as lower
primates) which
includes: lemurs
and lorises. The
second suborder
is the Haplorhini
(also known as higher
primates) which
includes: monkeys
and apes.
Classification
Status: Many
primate species
are in danger of
becoming extinct.
It estimated that
1/3 of the primates
are critically endangered
or vulnerable. Many
primate species
have declining populations
due to deforestation,
and human encroachment.
Size: Primates
species vary in
size. The smallest
primate is the Pygmy
Mouse Lemur which
weighs in at a mere
2 oz! The largest
primate is the Gorilla
weighing in at 440
lbs.
Habitat:
Non-human primates
are primarily located
in tropical and
subtropical regions
of the world. The
number of primate
species within tropical
areas has been shown
to be positively
correlated to the
amount of rainfall
and the amount of
rain forest area.
Behavior:
Primates are known
to be very successful
at adapting to different
environmental opportunities.
With the exception
of humans and gorillas,
primates are arboreal,
and spend a good
portion of their
time in trees. Even
the primate species
that are terrestrial
often sleep in the
trees.
Diet: Most
primate species
are omnivorous,
though due to the
accessibility of
fruits and vegetables
they often eat primarily
a vegetarian diet.
The majority of
primates have a
diet that consists
of fruit, leaves,
stems, buds, and
insects, although
some do eat meat.
Description:
All primates
except Spider monkeys
have five fingers
on each hand and
five toes on each
foot.
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Communication:
Primates
communicate
using complex
vocalizations
and visual displays.
Primates will
also often groom
each other. |
Did
You
Know?
There
are
more
300
species
of
primates
in
the
worldfrom
humans
and
apes
to
monkeys
and
prosimians
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Some distinguishing
characteristics
of primates
include:
- Forward
facing eyes
(allowing
depth perception)
- Relatively
small, hairless
ears
- Increased
reliance on
vision
- Opposable
Thumb (or
partially
opposable)
- Social
organization
- Facial
mobility (for
expressions)
and large
vocal repertoire
- Most primates
have one pair
of mammae
in the chest
- Small letters
(usually only
single births)
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Social Structure:
Primates are
highly social creatures,
with complex social
groups, and an advanced
social structure.
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Where
to Find Some
Primate Species
Primates
Found in Africa
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Lemurs
Lorises
Tarsiers
Baboons
Macaques
Colobus
Monkeys
Gorillas
Chimpanzees
Orangutans
Bonobos
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Primates
Found in South
and Central
America
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Marmosets
Tamarins
Capuchins
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Primates
Found in Asia
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Lemurs
Lorises
Tarsiers
Gibbons
Siamangs
Tarsiers
Gorillas
Chimpanzees
Orangutans
Bonobos
Baboons
Macaques
Colobus
Monkeys
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