Monkey. Primate order: classification, characteristics, characteristics, range and protection status Where does a monkey live what does it eat

The primate order is divided into two suborders and 16 families:

Suborder Wet-nosed ( Strepsirrhini) includes the following families:

• Dwarf lemurs ( Cheirogalidae);
• Lemuridae ( Lemuridae);
• Lepilemurs ( Lepilemuridae);
• Indriaceae ( Indridae);
• Hand-footed ( Daubentoniidae);
• Loriaceae ( Loridae);
• Galagadae ( Galagonidae).

Suborder Dry-nosed ( Haplorrhini) consists of the following families:

• Tarsier ( Tarsiidae);
• Marmosets ( Callitrichidae);
• Grain-tailed monkeys ( Cebidae);
• Night Monkeys ( Aotidae);
• Sakova ( Pitheciidae);
• Spider monkeys ( Atelidae);
• Monkeys ( Cercopithecidae);
• Gibbons ( Hylobatidae);
• Hominids ( Hominidae).

Evolution

Fossils of early primates date from the Early (56 to 40 million years ago) or possibly Late Paleocene (59 to 56 million years ago) epochs. Although they are an ancient group, and many (especially broad-nosed monkeys, or New World monkeys) remained entirely arboreal, others became at least partially terrestrial, and reached high level intelligence. There is no doubt that this particular detachment includes some of the.

Lifespan

Although humans are the longest-living primates, the potential lifespan of chimpanzees is estimated at 60 years, and orangutans sometimes reach this age in captivity. On the other hand, the lifespan of lemurs is about 15 years, and monkeys are 25-30 years.

Description

Roxellanov's rhinopithecus

Despite the marked differences between primate families, they have several anatomical and functional characteristics that reflect their general squad. Relative to body weight, the primate brain is larger than that of other mammals and has a unique spur-like groove that separates the first and second visual areas on each side of the brain. While all other mammals have claws or hooves on their toes, primates have flat nails. Some primates have claws, but the big toe still has a flat nail.

Not all primates have equally dexterous hands; only narrow-nosed monkeys(monkeys and hominids, including humans), as well as some lemurs and lorises, have an opposing thumb. Primates are not the only animals that grasp various objects with their limbs. But since this characteristic is found in many other arboreal mammals (such as squirrels and opossums), and since most living primates wood image life, it is assumed that they evolved from an ancestor that was arboreal.

Primates also have specialized nerve endings on their limbs that increase tactile sensitivity. As far as is known, no other placental mammal has them. Primates have fingerprints, but so do many other arboreal mammals.

Primates have binocular vision, although this feature is by no means limited to primates, but is a common characteristic observed among. Therefore, it has been proposed that the ancestor of primates was a predator.

Primate teeth differ from those of other mammals, with low, rounded molar and premolar teeth that contrast with the long, sharp teeth of other placental mammals. This difference makes it easy to recognize primate teeth.

Size

Members of the primate order exhibit a range of size and adaptive diversity. The smallest primate is the mouse lemur ( Microcebus berthae), which weighs about 35-50 grams; The most massive primate is, of course, the gorilla ( Gorilla), whose weight varies from 140 to 180 kg, which is almost 4000 times the weight of the mouse lemur.

Geographical range and habitat

Primates occupy two main vegetation zones: And . Each of these zones created corresponding adaptations in primates, but among tree species, perhaps more diversity of bodily forms than among the inhabitants of the savannah. Arboreal primates have many of the characteristics that likely evolved as adaptations to life in the trees. Several species, including our own, have left trees and become terrestrial.

Non-human primates are widespread throughout tropical latitudes, India, South-Eastern and. In Ethiopia, Gelada (genus Theropithecus) is found at altitudes up to 5000 meters. The gorillas of the Virunga Mountains are known to pass through mountain passes at altitudes of over 4,200 meters. Red Howlers ( Alouatta seniculus) Venezuelans live at an altitude of 2500 meters in the mountains of the Cordillera de Mérida, and in northern Colombia the Mirikins (genus Aotus) are found in the tropical montane forests of the Central Cordillera.

The gestation period varies among primate species. For example, mouse lemurs have a gestation period of 54-68 days, lemurs 132-134 days, macaques 146-186 days, gibbons 210 days, chimpanzees 230 days, gorillas 255 days and humans (on average) 267 days. Even in small primates, the gestation period is significantly longer than in other mammals of equivalent size, reflecting the complexity of primates. Although there is a general evolutionary tendency for primates to increase body size, there is no absolute correlation between body size and the length of the gestation period.

The degrees of puberty and maternal dependence at birth are obviously closely related. Newborn primates are not as helpless as kittens, puppies or rats. With a few exceptions, the young primate is born with its eyes and fur open. The cubs must be able to cling to their mother's fur; only a few species leave their babies in shelters while feeding. The cubs of the highest primates are able to cling to their mother's fur without outside help; however, humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas must support their newborns, and humans do so the longest.

Once the primate infant has learned to support itself by standing on its own two (or four) legs, the physical dependency phase is over; the next stage, psychological dependence, lasts much longer. The human child is attached to its mother for a much longer time than the non-human primate. The teenage period of psychological maternal dependence is 2.5 years in lemurs, 6 years in monkeys, 7-8 years in most hominoids and 14 years in humans.

Behavior

Primates are among the most social animals, forming pairs or family groups. On social systems influenced by three main environmental factors: distribution, group size and predation. Within a social group there is a balance between cooperation and competition. Cooperative behavior includes social grooming, food sharing, and collective defense against predators. Aggressive behavior often signals competition for food, bedding or mates. Aggression is also used to establish dominance hierarchies.

It is known that several species of primates can cooperate in the wild. For example, in national park In Africa, several species coordinate behavior to protect themselves from predators. These include Diana's marmoset, Campbell's marmoset, small white-nosed marmoset, red colobus, royal colobus, and smoky mangabey. Among the predators of these monkeys is the common chimpanzee.

Primates have developed cognitive abilities: some make tools and use them for food and for social display; others have complex hunting strategies that require cooperation, influence, and primacy; they are status conscious, manipulative and capable of deception; these animals can learn to use symbols and understand human language.

Some primates rely on olfactory cues for many aspects of social and reproductive behavior. Specialized glands are used to mark territories with pheromones, which are picked up by the vomeronasal organ. Primates also use vocalizations, gestures, and emotions to convey psychological states. Like humans, chimpanzees can distinguish between the faces of familiar and unfamiliar people.

Primate conservation

Although many primates are still abundant in the wild, populations of many species are in steep decline. According to International Union Conservation Authority (IUCN), more than 70% of primates in Asia and approximately 40% of primates in South America, mainland Africa and the island of Madagascar are listed as critically endangered. A number of species, especially the gorilla, some of Madagascar lemurs and some species from South America are at serious risk of extinction as their habitats are destroyed and poaching is widespread.

However, the numbers of some endangered species have increased. Concerted captive breeding efforts have been successful, and reintroduction into the wild is also practiced in Brazil.

In the language of the indigenous people of Africa - the Luba tribe - "chimpanzee" means "human-like." The truth of this statement has been scientifically proven. Scientists have calculated that evolutionary paths chimpanzees and humans diverged just 6 million years ago. And today it is the most striking and amazing representative of the genus of anthropoid primates, genetically and biochemically Homo sapiens the closest. For example, the similarity between our DNA is almost 90%.

Description of chimpanzee

But the “humanity” of chimpanzees is not limited to DNA similarity.

Appearance

Chimpanzees, just like humans, have blood types and individual fingerprints.. They can be distinguished by them - the pattern never repeats. Chimpanzees differ in height from humans. The largest males do not exceed 1.5 meters in height. Females are even lower – 1.3 meters. But at the same time, chimpanzees are very strong physically and have well-developed muscles, which not every Homo sapiens can boast of.

The structure of the skull is distinguished by pronounced brow ridges, a flat nose and a strongly protruding jaw armed with sharp teeth. The skull is made by nature with a reserve - the brain occupies only half of its volume. The front and hind legs of chimpanzees are the same length. An outstanding feature of the structure of their paws is the thumb, which is located at a distance from the rest and allows the monkey to deftly handle small objects.

The entire body of a chimpanzee is covered with fur. Nature made an exception for the face, palms and soles of the monkey’s feet. Adolescent chimpanzees have, among their dark, thick fur, small area white- in the area of ​​the coccyx. As the monkey ages, the hairs darken and turn brown. This feature allows chimpanzees to distinguish children from adults and treat them accordingly. It has been noticed that monkeys with white “islands” on the tailbone get away with a lot, that is, from their paws. Adult primates do not punish them for pranks and do not demand much. But as soon as the white hairs disappear, childhood ends.

Chimpanzee species

Chimpanzees belong to the genus great apes and are related to gorillas and orangutans. There are two types of chimpanzees - the common chimpanzee and the bonobo chimpanzee. Bonobos are often called “pygmy chimpanzees,” which is not entirely true. A bonobo is not a dwarf as such, it’s just that its body structure is different from common chimpanzee great grace. Also, this species, the only one of the monkeys, has red lips, like those of humans.

The common chimpanzee has subspecies:

• black-faced or chimpanzee what - distinguished by freckles on the face;
• Western chimpanzee - has a black mask on its face in the shape of a butterfly;
• Schweinfurtian - has two distinctive features: light-colored complexion, which acquires a dirty tint with age, and longer hair than its relatives.

Character and lifestyle

Chimpanzee is a social animal, lives in groups of up to 20-30 individuals. The group is led by a male in common chimpanzees, and by a female in bonobos. The leader is not always the strongest primate in the group, but he must be the most cunning. He needs to be able to build relationships with his relatives in such a way that they obey him. To do this, he chooses a company of close associates, such as security guards, whom he can rely on in case of danger. The rest of the male competitors are kept in fear of obedience.

When a leader “fails” due to old age or injury, his place is immediately taken by a younger and more promising “commander”. Females in the pack also obey a strict hierarchy. There are female leaders who are in a special position. Males pay increased attention to them, and this secures their chosen status. These chimpanzees get the tastiest morsels and the most a large number of suitors during the mating period.

This is interesting! Bonobos, due to the lack of aggression in their character, resolve all conflicts within the group peacefully - by mating.

Female chimpanzees are considered to be more docile but less intelligent than males when it comes to learning and training. But they express great affection for a person and do not harbor the threat of aggressive disobedience, unlike males, who are “led astray from the righteous path” by the instinct of dominance. Social image life makes it easier for chimpanzees to hunt, protect offspring, and helps to accumulate useful skills in the group. They learn a lot from each other while living together. Scientists have proven that lonely monkeys have reduced overall health indicators. The appetite is worse than that of collective relatives, and the metabolism is slowed down.

Chimpanzees are forest dwellers. They need trees. They build nests on them, find food, and use them to escape, grabbing branches, from the enemy. But, with equal success, these monkeys also move on the ground, using all four paws. Walking upright, on two legs, is not typical for chimpanzees in the natural environment.

It has been noted that chimpanzees are inferior to orangutans in tree-climbing dexterity, but are superior to gorillas in the cleanliness of their nests. The design of chimpanzee nests is not elegant and is made simply - from branches and sticks, assembled together in a chaotic manner. Chimpanzees sleep only in nests, in trees, for safety reasons.

Chimpanzees can swim, but they don't like it. They generally prefer not to get wet unless absolutely necessary. Their main pastime is eating and relaxing. Everything is leisurely and measured. The only thing that breaks life harmony monkeys - the appearance of an enemy. In this case, the chimpanzees raise an incredible cry. Chimpanzees are capable of producing up to 30 types of sounds, but they cannot reproduce human speech, since they “speak” while exhaling, and not while inhaling, like a person. Communication within the group is also facilitated by body language and body posture. There is also facial expressions. Chimpanzees can smile and change their facial expressions.

Chimpanzees are smart animals. These monkeys learn quickly. Living with a person, they easily adopt his manners and habits, sometimes demonstrating amazing results. It is a known fact that a sailor's monkey could handle an anchor and sails and was able to light the stove in the galley and keep the fire going.

Living in a group, chimpanzees successfully exchange their accumulated experience. Young animals learn from mature primates simply by observing and copying their behavior. These monkeys, in their natural habitat, themselves came up with the idea of ​​using sticks and stones as tools for obtaining food, and large leaves plants - like a scoop for water or an umbrella in case of rain, or a fan, or even toilet paper.

Chimpanzees are capable of admiring a flower that does not represent nutritional value, or a close look at a crawling python.

This is interesting! Unlike humans, a chimpanzee will not destroy objects and living beings that are useless and harmless to him; rather, on the contrary. There are cases of chimpanzees feeding turtles. Just!

How long does a chimpanzee live?

In harsh conditions wildlife Chimpanzees rarely live past 50 years. But in the zoo, under human supervision, this monkey was allowed to live up to 60 years.

Range, habitats

Chimpanzees are inhabitants of Central and Western Africa. They choose tropical rainforests and montane forests with plenty of vegetation. Today bonobos can only be found in Central Africa– in wet forests between the Congo and Lualaba rivers.

Populations of common chimpanzees are registered in the territories of: Cameroon, Guinea, Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and a number of other countries in equatorial Africa.

Monkeys are cute and charming creatures that you can admire forever. They belong to the higher primates. You've probably heard this word more than once, but do you know its meaning? The word "primate" can be translated as "first", although monkeys are superior to other animals only in their better intelligence. As for dexterity, smell, vision and hearing, in many other species they are at a higher level.

Basic information about monkeys

There are many different types these animals, but they are similar in many ways. They all have a pair of arms and legs (like a human), a tail or something similar to it. Monkeys' thumbs are located at a decent distance from the rest, thanks to which they can easily climb trees. Almost all of these animals are omnivores, but they eat a lot of things that a human (also a primate, by the way) wouldn’t like. These include insects, fruits, bird eggs, grains, leaves, and grass. There is also evidence that they even eat crustaceans.

and habitats

How long do monkeys live? It depends on the species. Some live only up to 20 years, while others live up to 60. In this they are very different, but what else do they have in common? The first thing that comes to mind is that all monkeys, without exception, can deftly move from one branch to another. Just imagine: some species do not leave the tree their entire lives. For example, the royal guerilla, which lives in Africa, can only eat flowers and leaves. What a completely healthy diet.

But there are also monkeys who prefer to live only on the ground and completely ignore trees. An example is baboons. Where do monkeys of this species live? They gather in groups of 250-300 individuals and constantly “travel”, not staying long in one place. Older males go first, and younger ones close the column. Their task is to protect the herd from enemies. There are also individuals that tend to stay away; they walk at some distance from the column. Baboons are very united and brave animals. For example, if a leopard is preparing to attack a monkey that has lagged behind the column, 150 individuals may come running to its cry. Of course, the leopard becomes uncomfortable with such an army. But other species are not known for their courage and, in case of any danger, they scatter in different directions and jump into trees.

Where do monkeys live?

They mainly live in Asian, African and South American subtropical and tropical regions. As for South America, the territory inhabited by primates stretches from the northern part of Argentina to the southern part of Mexico. It is impossible not to remember also about Africa, where monkeys live. This country (especially just south of the Sahara) is simply teeming with them. Contrary to popular belief, monkeys do not live in Madagascar, only lemurs live there. Let's talk about Asia. There, most monkeys can be found in the southeastern and southern parts. The range extends up to Timor and Japan. One species of monkey (magot) also lives in Europe, and more specifically, in Gibraltar. It is believed that he was brought here by people.

As you already understand, most monkeys live among trees, mainly in forests (any kind: mountainous, wet, etc.). Some species live both on branches and on the ground, such as the gelada.

Where do snow monkeys live?

There is an opinion that all these animals adore warm climate and cannot live in the cold. If we talk about the vast majority of monkeys, then this is true. But don't forget about exceptions.

On the large island of Honshu, which is located in Japan, snow monkeys live. We can say that they are very hardened - they are not afraid of the cold.

Snow monkeys live in Igodukani (the name of the famous reserve). If we translate this name into Russian, it will mean “Hell Valley”. This area is notable for its great natural diversity: there is both ice and hot water, and geysers. The monkeys living here have a very impressive thick coat of hair, which makes them seem quite thick and powerful, although this is not the case.

These animals do not suffer much from the cold, but, of course, it is unpleasant for them to freeze, and therefore they plunge into a hot spring and sit there for a long time. Where monkeys of this species live, there are areas where steam comes out of the ground; in some ways, such a place resembles a bathhouse. Primates love to sit there and bask. Only in the late afternoon, when it gets a little warmer, do the animals climb out of the water and move away from the steam to dry out. They also eat at this time.

Snow monkeys love to dig into the fur of their relatives, thanks to which it dries faster. But other species often do the same thing. From the outside it seems that they are choosing fleas, although this is not true. Monkeys are clean, they don't have these insects in their fur. In fact, this action is a demonstration of gratitude and love to their relatives.

What do these animals eat?

What do snow monkeys eat? After all, fruits don’t grow in snow. Well, the monkeys are used to doing without them. They trample paths in the snow and walk along them in a line, taking roots, berries, leaves, and insects from the snowdrifts. They also eat pine needles, tree buds and bark.

Now you know where monkeys live, what they eat and how they behave.

Primates have always interested people more than other animals. This is largely due to Darwin's theory and anthropological data on certain species. Next, let's look at where monkeys live, their varieties and life cycle features.

general information

There are several hundred species of primates in nature, the most famous of which are apes. The length of a monkey's body can vary from a few centimeters to two meters. As a rule, these animals lead an arboreal lifestyle and live in groups. Omnivorous animals are active during the day. Preferences in plant or animal food depend on the habitat. Where do monkeys live? Let's look at their living environment by family.

Marmosets and galags

The Marmoset family belongs to the most small species primates. They are very active and mobile, live in trees, perform all important tasks during the day, and sleep in tree hollows at night. The main food is fruits, seeds, birds and insects. Habitat regions: Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Colombia.

The nocturnal animals of galagos are very active jumpers. The main diet is fruits, other fruits, and invertebrates. Habitat - Africa. These can be either dry regions with thorny bushes or places with a tropical climate.

Family of apes

Next, let's look at where do monkeys that are most similar to humans live and what do they eat? These animals can be short, medium or tall. The mass of animals is, depending on the genus and species, from five to three hundred kilograms. Distinctive features- massive build of the body, long front and short hind limbs. The head is round in shape with a prominent facial part. They also have a well-developed brain.

Mostly great apes live in tropical forests, lead a diurnal lifestyle and spend a lot of time in trees. Habitat regions - Equatorial Africa, Southeast Asia and adjacent island territories. Food: fruits of trees, parts of bushes, insects, birds, small animals.

Gibbons

This family is characterized by the following features:

• body length - from 450 to 900 millimeters;
• body weight - from 8 to 13 kilograms;
• original structure with particularly elongated forelimbs;
• primates have an ischial callus;
• animals have thick hair;
• The color of the animals varies from cream to black or brown.

Gibbon families live primarily in tropical forests in trees, feeding on leaves and fruits. Habitat: Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java, Indochina, Thailand, Burma.

Where do dwarf lemurs live?

The largest individuals of these animals reach 460 grams. They live in eastern tropical forests and western drylands. Depending on the region, the animals have a red-brown color or a gray tint. Many of these primates live on the island of Madagascar. Unlike most other monkeys, lemurs are night look life, mainly in trees. They build nests in the form of balls of leaves and use natural hollows as homes. The animals usually feed on fruits and roots.

Tarsiers

Below we describe where (in which country) monkeys of the tarsier family live, which are a transitional link between lemurs and lower species. Features of these animals:

• small size - from 280 to 400 millimeters with a tail 6-25 cm long;
• weight - 150 g (maximum);
• The animals have a relatively large and very mobile head, which can be rotated 180°.
• shortened muzzle;
• eyes - large bulging;
• well-developed heel section;
• the wool is velvety, reddish or gray in color;
• the long elastic tail has a tassel at the end;
• diet - vertebrates, insects, lizards, birds and eggs.

Habitat: Southeast Asia. Wherein certain type occupies a specific territory (the islands of the Philippine, Sunda and Malay archipelago).

Hands

This family is represented by one species and is listed in the Red Book. Individuals are small in size, have a slender and somewhat elongated body, a rounded head, and a shortened facial part. Monkeys have rough, brown or black fur.

Where do monkeys of this family live? Their main habitats are bamboo and mangrove thickets, as well as jungles. Primates are active at night, lead an arboreal lifestyle, sleeping in tree hollows or in their crowns. The main food is insects and larvae. This rare species can only be found in Madagascar.

Monkeys

Features of this family:

• the category includes eight genera of primates;
• some of them are tailless;
• the body type is different - from an elegant light body to a massive and heavy body;
• hind limbs shorter than front legs;
• the hairline is long and silky;
• hair covers the entire body, including the ischium, soles and hind legs.

Where do monkeys live? In the jungle, on open plains, rocky places. Mangroves are the main habitats of apes. Some of them lead an arboreal lifestyle, others move on the ground. During the day, animals are active; at night, they roost in caves or tree cavities. Population regions - Southeast Asia, Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Gibraltar.

Capuchins

This is the most numerous species of primates (11 genera). The animals are medium to small in size and have a long, hairy tail. Some individuals can use it as an organ of touch. Hairline in prehensile-tailed primates (capuchins) it is thick and monochromatic. The facial part of the head is shortened, the nostrils are clearly separated, big eyes have pronounced eyelids.

These representatives of primates are excellent at moving through trees, feeding plant foods, however, they do not disdain insects, bird eggs and other small animals. Capuchins hold prey with the help of their front paws; their muzzle is capable of expressing some emotions. Habitat: South and Central America, Argentina, Mexico.

Where does the spider monkey live?

This category of primates lives on tree branches and moves along them with the help of prehensile limbs. Animals live in families of up to twenty individuals, which are also divided into groups of 4-5 representatives. They lead a diurnal lifestyle, feeding on plant and animal foods.

Depending on the species, the coat color of arachnid primates can vary from gray to black. Main habitat - Peru, Central, South America, Brazil, Bolivia. Above we looked at where many, many live wild monkeys. It is worth noting that, despite the beauty and visual good nature of some representatives of primates, in fact they can be cunning and very dangerous. In our country, you can see monkeys in zoos located in large cities.