The hunting of forest animals for bushmeat, once a subsistence activity, has become a major commercial enterprise throughout west and central Africa. Habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as susceptibility to disease, also threaten some species and populations. Asia's only great ape, the orangutan, is also in deep trouble. Its last remaining strongholds in the rainforests of Sumatra Indonesia and the island of Borneo Indonesia and Malaysia are being destroyed by illegal logging, a proliferation of palm oil plantations, and by widespread forest fires, many set by plantation owners.
Find out more: Gorillas Chimpanzees Bonobo Orangutans. Key facts. Scientific name Species Pan paniscus Bonobo ; P. Population Population A few hundred to a few tens of thousands, depending on the subspecies. Geographic place Habitat Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf, semi deciduous and dry forests and montane woodlands in central Africa and southeast Asia. Endangered Status Endangered to Critically Endangered. Although there are a number of differences between apes and monkeys apes have a longer lifespan, larger body size, larger brain-to-body size ratio, and higher intelligence ; the main difference is that monkeys have tails and apes do not have tails.
The difference between great apes and lesser apes is general size. Chimpanzees are great apes that live in the tropical rain forests of Africa from Sudan and Tanzania in the East to Senegal and Angola in the West. Democratic Republic of the Congo has the largest population, although chimpanzees have become extinct in some areas.
They grow to reach heights of three to five feet, and weigh up to to pounds. They are predominantly black, sometimes with gray on their back after 20 years of age. Orangutans are found in the tropical rain forests of only two islands in the world: Sumatra in Indonesia and Borneo in Malaysia and Indonesia. They are the largest arboreal tree dwelling animal in the world, reaching heights of four to five feet and weights of to pounds or more.
Species with larger bodies generally live longer. However, p rimates have unusually long natural life spans for their size. For instance, mouse lemurs live about 8 years.
Rodent mice rarely reach 2 years. Rats, which are slightly larger than mouse lemurs, can live 3 years. Big monkeys, such as baboons, live up to 30 years. Male baboons can weigh as much as 90 pounds. Comparable size domesticated dogs have a life expectancy of only years.
This is not surprising given that they are anatomically very similar to us. Slower metabolism rates are associated with slower rates of growth, reproduction, and aging in mammals.
Most primates have adapted to an arboreal , or tree living, way of life. Even the terrestrial ones usually sleep in the trees. The most notable exceptions are humans and gorillas. Both of these species live on the ground with occasional tree climbing for fun, especially by children.
Almost all primates are diurnal , which is to say, they are active during the day and sleep at night. Generally, primates are highly social animals.
Most of their waking hours are spent socializing with each other. This is made easier by complex vocalizations and visual displays. In addition, they regularly groom each other, thereby keeping clean and satisfying psychological needs at the same time. Grooming is a very pleasurable activity for primates, including humans. It is important to note that the few nocturnal primate species are the least social. Primates have been very successful animals due largely to the fact that they are intelligent and opportunistic in getting food.
Most are unusually adaptable in diet. This has tremendous evolutionarily selective value. Many species are omnivorous , though vegetable foods usually make up the bulk of calories consumed by most primate species because they are easier to obtain. By comparison, animals such as koalas and giant pandas are generally less successful because they are extremely limited in the kinds of foods that they can or will eat.
Koalas subsist on the leaves of a few species of eucalyptus, and giant pandas primarily eat the shoots of a small number of bamboo species. If these food sources are not available, koalas and giant pandas die. Not surprisingly, their highly limited range of foods restricts where they can live.
This is not the case with many primate species. Are Primates Good Pets? Often people who have not had the responsibility of taking care of a monkey or ape in captivity think that they would be great pets.
After all, they are cute when they are youngsters and remarkably human-like. However, they generally make very poor pets. As one monkey owner said "People find out when it's too late. After six months, they're like a two year-old that can fly. In addition to being destructive, most are as messy as human babies. Unlike humans, however, they remain this way all of their unusually long lives. Owning large apes in particular is a lifelong commitment that takes considerable patience, energy, and money.
Male chimpanzees can be surprisingly violent in their interactions with each other and humans. In recent years, several people have been extensively maimed and even killed by their pet chimpanzees in the U. All rights reserved. Natural range of non-human primates. Hook-like power grip cotton-top tamarin Precision grip chimpanzees Secure power grip orangutan.
Comparison of ring-tailed lemur , patas monkey, and human noses. Additional information about primate color vision. Chimpanzees grooming Humans grooming.
Ring-tailed lemurs. Spider monkey Count the number of fingers This is the only primate that has hands with 4 fingers and feet with 5 toes.
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