What is a Primate?

A Mammal that has certain characteristics such as:

Flexible fingers and toesOpposable thumbs

Flatter face than other mammalsEyes that face forward and spaced

close togetherLarge and complex cerebrum

Social animals

What are the groups of mammals that are classified as

Primates?LEMURS

MONKEYS

BABOONS

ORANGUTANS

GORILLAS

• CHIMPS

• HUMANS

Examples of Mammals that aren’t Primates?

Insect –Eating Mammals

Toothless Mammal

Gnawing Mammal

Flying Mammal

Trunk-nosed Mammal

Rodent-like Mammal

Flesh-Eating Mammal

Hoofed Mammals

Water-dwellingMammal

How can you tell the difference between primates and other

mammals?

Primates have:Flexible fingers and toesOpposable thumbsFlatter face than other mammalsEyes that face forwardLarge and complex cerebrumSocial animals

What’s so special about flexible fingers and toes?

• Fingers can grip onto things

• Toes can bend for greater balance

• Grab onto trees, play the trumpet, type, all sorts of actions

What’s an opposable thumb?

• Thumb that’s opposite the other fingers and is able to move toward them and touch them.

• Enables primates to grasp objects, large and small

As primates evolved and became more complex their face became rounder and

the snout became shorter, giving them an unobstructed view of things

Large and complex brain

• As primates evolved their brain became larger making them the most intelligent mammals.

• They can comprehend and use language

• Make decisions• Problem solve

Stereoscopic Eyes• Both eyes face

forward and can judge distances, and see in 3-D versus non-primates who have eyes on the sides of their head

Gorillas, orangutans and chimps, like humans are very social animals

They care for their young, feel sadness, happiness, loneliness, jealousy and

every emotion that you feel

Which primates are the most closely related to humans?

Orangutans-

Gorillas

Chimpanzees

These primates are genetically the closest relatives of humans. They’re very intelligent, can use tools, communicate with one another, and carry out complex tasks. Chimps share 98.4% of human DNA.

Orangutans, gorillas and chimps are all on the endangered

species list, their population dwindling each day.

Presently there are only 50,000 gorillas left in the wildCurrent estimates account for only 27,000 orangutans left in the wildChimp population is estimated at 100,000-200,000

               

Who do you suppose is to blame?

The wisest of the wise?