The order Primates is a small order of well-known and very complex
mammals: the monkeys. This order consists of everything from the rare
ring-tailed lemur of Madagascar to humans themselves. They are
characterized by their opposable thumbs and grasping hands, intelligent
eyes, social structure and behaviour. Many of them are very intelligent, even
being able to use tools. There are three sub-orders dividing up this order:
Prosimii:
Platyrrhina:
Catarrhina:
All the primates in the first three families are known as apes. They are
further divided into two groups: the lesser apes and the great apes. The
lesser apes are the gibbons. They are the smallest apes and found only in
Asia. The great apes include the oran untan, gorilla, and chimpanzee. The
great apes are very intelligent and are among the only animals, besides
humans, to use tools. There are 3 families and two
sub-families:
A "primitive" species of primates, these large-eyed mostly nocturnal
mammals lead a more insectivorous life than the other primates. Most of
these species are endangered and most are found on Madagascar. The tree
shrews previously belonged to this sub-order before being placed in an order
of their own. There are 8 families:
Cheirogaleidae (mouse lemurs, dwarf lemurs) 7 spp
Lemuridae (variety of lemurs) 10 spp
Megaladapidae (sportive or weasel lemurs) 7 spp
Indriidae (woolly lemurs, sifakas, indris) 5 spp
Daubentoniidae (aye-aye) 1 spp
Loridae (lorises, pottos, angwantibos) 6 spp
Galagonidae (galagos, bushbabies) 11 spp
Tarsiidae (tarsiers) 5 spp
So-called New World monkeys, these primates are generally small with long,
slender tails. They are very agile and are characterized by a broad internasal
septum separating their nostrils. There are 2 families: Callitrichidae (marmosets, tamarins) 26 spp
Cebidae (capuchins, night monkeys, titis, sakis, uakaris, squirrel
monkeys, howler monkeys, woolly monkeys) 58 spp
This is the most popular sub-order of primates: the Old World monkeys.
These apes are generally large with a stump for a tail. The arms are generally
longer than the legs. They are characterized by a narrow internasal septum
which brings the nostrils closer together. Cercopithecidae 81 spp
— Cercopithecinae sub-family (macaques, apes, mangabeys, baboons,
mandrills, guenons, talapois, swamp monkeys)
— Colobinae sub-family (colobus monkeys, langurs, leaf monkeys)
Hylobatidae (gibbons, Siamangs) 11 spp
Hominidae (human beings, gorillas, chimpanzees) 5 spp
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