Primates are animals in the kingdom Mammalia characterized by the presence of appendages used for grasping, enlarged cerebrals hemispheres and binocular vision. Some of these traits include groups of animals such as humans, apes and monkeys. Primates generally poses the following arboreal adaptations; relatively larger brains compared to other mammals, tend to rely of stereoscopic vision which they use in place of sense of smell, lack of rhinarium which is basically wet nose.
What are the kinds of primates?
The kinds of primates include humans, apes, monkeys, guerillas, simian, chimpanzees, and orangutans among others.
Characteristics of primates
Notably, primates eat different types of foods based on their dental formula. There are those that are herbivorous, omnivorous and carnivorous. Based on these, primates are suited to eat variety of foods.
It is also apparent that primates occur in different continents and identify by those continents which makes them adapted to the environment differently or uniquely by way of behavioral change. This is also true when it comes to different climatic zones.
Primates are mostly adapted to life in trees evidently referred to as arboreal adaptation. Primates are also known to spend much time with their offspring, presumably fewer offspring. They show affection and tend to bond tenaciously with their young ones, a trait depicted as parental investment.
Based on their versatile structure of the skeleton, primates are known to have struts that help in keeping their upper limbs intact. They also have radius and ulna that rotate about their forearm. With sharp claws for powerful and precise grip, an advantage adaptively for preying and feeding. Being chordates, primates have distinct spinal cord that has five vertebra specialized for different roles.
Works Cited
Our Origins – Discovering Physical Anthropology, Clark Spencer Larsen, 2014,
3rd edition, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York & London.
