Bonobos and Alaotran gentle lemur are both very distinct primates to each other. Not only different features such as fur color and the overall look of them, but also the different characteristics of how these primates live. These primates both are divided into two sub groups which are the Strepsirhini and the Haplorhini. Bonobos are a part of the Haplorhini sub group while Lemurs are about of the Strepsirhini. Both of these primates do live in similar environmental habitats, such as dense forests, but each have very different ways of surviving and living in their habitats.
Bonobos are only found in one country, the Democratic Republic of Congo. While the Alaotran gentle lemur are only found in Madagascar and found only in and around the largest lake of the island; Lac Alaotra, situated in central-eastern Madagascar. Both of these primate species live in rain forests and both spend most of their time in the tress around their habitat. The difference between this is that Alaotran gentle lemurs are the only primate adapted to live in reed and papyrus beds. This is also because Lemurs are much smaller than the Bonobos. Weighing at around 40kg, Bonobos are man’s closest living relative. On the other hand, the Alaotran gentle lemurs weigh only 1.5kg on average. Due to their different sizes, their diet is very much different especially portions of food. Alaotran gentle lemurs and other Lemurs mostly feed on plant life such as papyrus leaves and those of reeds such as Phragmites spp, while Bonobos depend highly on fruit for their diet. Bonobos do and sometimes eat leafy plants and meat, but fruit is their main food source. Bonobos also have a more consistent food supply which allows Bonobos to live in larger parties that can range to 150...
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... Both are endangered species and soon if not taken care of they could be gone forever. Due to rainforest destruction and the destruction of their natural habitat, these primates are losing their numbers. Even though both of these species have different characteristics such as eating habits, social structures, and their ability to adapt, both are very intelligent primates. These two species of primates are just two of many unique primates in the animal kingdom.
Works Cited
“Bonobo”, (Pan paniscus) (2012), Retrieved March 11, 2014, from http://www.arkive.org/bonobo/pan-paniscus/
“Alaotran gentle lemur” (Hapalemur alaotrensis), (2012), Retrieved March 11, 2014, from http://www.arkive.org/alaotran-gentle-lemur/hapalemur-alaotrensis/
Allen and Antón, (2012) “Exploring Biological Anthropology” 3rd edition, Pearson; 3 edition (July 27, 2012),
There are contrasts in tool kits used by different groups of chimpanzees, which seem to be a result of the environment in which they live as well as information that is shared by the group. For example, in 1973 it was reported that chimpanzees in Gombe did not use hammer stones, but those of Cape Palmas did. We will explore the tool use of Chimpanzees from the wild, including Gombe, Tai National Forest, and the Congo Basin---and contrast those with Chimpanzees in captivity in locations of Zoo’s both in the United States and abroad.
I visited the Sacramento Zoo during the afternoon of April 21, 2017. The weather was wonderful, sunny, warm, and there was a slight breeze. It got a bit more breezy the longer I was there. Visiting the zoo to observe primates allowed me to become a little more aware of how primatologists study primates. Even though I’ve been to many different zoos several different times, I never realized how many primates were associated with the zoos, as well as the variety of primates in the zoos. The Sacramento Zoo has eight different primates, all in different classifications, superfamilies, or subfamilies. While observing the Chimpanzees, White-Handed Gibbon, Mongoose Lemur, White-Faced Saki, and the Wolf’s Guenon I could see the differences
With a 99.6% genetic similarity to Chimpanzees , the physical appearance of Bonobos is very similar to them. The length of the legs, in proportion to the arms, Bonobo’s dark faces, pink lips, and more slender stature are just some of the cosmetic differences between them and Chimpanzees. Bonobos are notorious for their bipedalism, walking upright. Granted Chimpanzees can preform bipedalism when needed, but do not match the ease and grace of the Bonobo. With their habitat staying more constant, sense the forma...
While there are noticeable by differences in social conduct between these two primates, I argue that they are extra of similar behaviors than most books have suggested. This book portrays several reasons that modern views of bonobo and chimpanzee cultures may not harmonize well with ground data. Bonobos are derived since their behavior has been defined lately than that of chimpanzees, and the likelihood that explanations of bonobo-chimpanzee differences are echoes of human male-female alterations.
The way of the Lemurs evolution is very particular. Once, Madagascar was attached to the African Continent, but Madagascar separated from the mainland of Africa. Therefore, this is the reason why the Lemurs still exist today, thanks to Madagascar's isolation. This is the reason that the Lemurs have not changed much from their ancestors. In order to avoid other primates and predators the Lemurs became nocturnal, so they were able to survive. “Note the large eyes, a nocturnal adaptation, typical of both ancient and modern prosimians who are active at night.” (Larsen, 2014). However, what they could not avoid was the threats of humans, even though humans evolved from them. As Larsen states; “The five types of vertebrae in primates, including lemurs and humans, create a flexible column allowing a wide range of movement. The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae are the true, or movable, vertebrae, responsible for bending, twisting, and stretching.” (Larsen, p. 164). As a result of this mobility, the locomotion behaviors of the Lemurs is that they walk quadrupedal and they do leaping horizontally from branch to branch. To do this, the Lemurs developed strong muscles and flexibility, but also the ability to stand straight
Primates, any placental mammal of the order Primates, normally having flexible hands and feet and, in the higher apes, a highly developed brain (“Primate”, 2016), have been one of the most popular animals and prominent attractions in zoos.
Quiatt, D., & Reynolds, V. (1993). Primate behaviour: information, social knowledge, and the evolution of culture. Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press].
Throughout situations and research conducted by not only Robert Sapolsky or Jane Goodman, but from many other credited sources, we can blatantly see the, if not identical, similarities between the two species of humans and baboons. The most apparent likewise characteristics of this can be read and documented in Professor Sapolsky’s book, A Primate’s Memoirs. Sapolsky, who spent hundreds if not thousands, of hours studying these Savanna Baboons, sheds a vast insight into ideas of social dominance, mating strategies, instinctual prowess, community settings, hygiene, and reform of an entire generation; many of which can be unknowingly seen directly in the common occurrence of a humans daily life.
It has been believed that culture is unique to humans and no other groups of animals have culture, but recent evidence refutes this ideology. Before getting into the meat of the argument, it is important to first address the issues regarding the ambiguity of the term, “culture.” What is culture? Many scientists may argue that culture is the way of life for a group of individuals, this definition includes the values, beliefs and traditions of the group (Sapolsky, 2006). Other scientists may argue that culture is the transmission of habits and information by social means (Sapolsky, 2006). Despite the different specifics of what culture is, almost all scientists would agree that culture is transmitted socially through social learning that promotes the transfer of information between members in a group (Boesch and Tomasello, 1998). Based on these notions of culture, it can be justifiably stated that primates have culture. Primates exhibit food preparation techniques, use of tools, communication skills, and most importantly, behaviors of social learning. An exemplar of primates’ capabilities for culture is Koko, the lowland gorilla. Koko, in captivity, was able to learn American sign language, demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to deceive.
Bonobos and gorillas are often found socializing in groups but orangutans are more solitary primates usually keeping to just the children they have (Absolutely Apes). Most scientists believe that bonobos are the most intelligent of the primates(Absolutely Apes). They share many of the behaviors us humans do day to day, like teaching...
Although it has been known for some time that bonobos and chimps perform a number of similar gestures, this is the first time that the meaning of those gestures has been found to significantly correlate.
Our earliest ancestors are primates. They are our closest relatives which is why we can see our behavior’s and practices in them. If we observe them we can get a better understanding of them and us, human beings. But unfortunately we all don’t get the chance to see a Primate right in our backdoor. So the best thing I could do for my observation was to visit them at the zoo.
I observed chimpanzees in the Kimberly-Clark Chimpanzee Forest exhibit at the Dallas zoo. These African apes, like humans, are hominoids and fall into the larger category of catarrhines. Their scientific classification is Pan troglodytes. There were about ten chimpanzees in that habitat. Most of them were grown adults, except two children. They were robust and had black fur. The average weight of the chimps was listed on a display to be about 115 pounds.
The only ray of hope for saving gorillas from extinction is conservation. A gradual rise in the population of mountain gorillas has taken place thanks to conservation programs. From the lowest point in 1980 when its numbers were just 254, it has now grown to 880.Similar efforts in the Campo Ma’an National Park in Cameroon and Cross River National Park of Nigeria has held some hope for the tiny population of Cross-river gorillas dwelling there. Recent surveys show that the counts for these apes have not gone below the 300 mark.But applying conservation measures to the lowland gorillas will be far more challenging given their wider habitat coverage. Efforts must be made to save the apes before it's too late.
The baboon is the most widespread primate in Africa. Well-known for their remarkable ability to adapt, baboons can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from semi-desert to rainforest, and from coastal areas to mountains. Their adaptability also extends to their feeding habits — baboons will eat just about anything. The baboon's diet includes a wide variety of plants, of which they eat every part: leaves, fruit, buds, flowers, roots, bulbs, tubers, seeds, shoots, bark and even sap. As for meat, these resourceful monkeys will eat insects, shellfish, small reptiles and amphibians, rodents, birds, fish, eggs and even young antelope or livestock.