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About primates Monkeys and apes

Monkeys and apes

Monkeys, apes and prosimians belong to the large primate family. The term primate can be literally translated as “supreme animals”. Humans are also primates.

The differences between the primates are enormous. A pygmy marmoset weighs less then 100 grams, a gorilla about 200 kilos. But all primates also have a great deal in common.

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Well developed hand grip

This comes in handy for climbing, leaping and holding things. The primates have a strong grip because their thumb can reach all fingers. Most primates can also grip with their feet.

Large brains

The brains of primates are bigger then those of other animals in relation to their body weight. This allows them to learn and retain a great deal of information, such as where to find food, how to distinguish between friends and enemies and which behaviour patterns to use in large social groups. Only dolphins and whales (which are not primates) have brains that are comparable in size.

Excellent eyesight

Due to the forward orientation of their large eyes, the primates have stereoscopic sight, allowing them to estimate distances. This comes in handy while climbing and leaping from one branch to another. They can also see colours that several animals cannot see. This way, they see whether fruits are ripe and can recognize different flowers, fruits and leaves. This capacity to distinguish colours can also be important during the mating season.

Social groups

Nearly all primates will spend their entire life as part of a social group. One of the most important advantages of this is safety. All eyes and ears are directed towards finding potential predators. This is particularly important for young animals because they may depend on their parents and other members of the group for a longer period.