Primates
Primates belong to the order of mammals that includes ourselves, apes, monkeys and animals such as lemurs.
They are distinguished from other mammals in that they all have the following characteristics:
• Omnivorous - Primates will eat practically anything! The teeth of primates can be described as multi-purpose.
• Large brain compared to the size of their bodies.
• Five digit hands and feet that are good at manipulation, plus arms that can move easily
• Stereoscopic vision. Primates have large eyes that look straight ahead and in colour.
Primates are categorised into:
• Prosimians: These are sometimes called the 'lower primates' and include the Lemurs, Indrii, Aye-aye, Lorises, Pottos and Galagos.
• Tarisers: Small nocturnal primates living in Southeast Asia.
• Monkeys: These are split into New World Monkeys, found in South and Central America, and Old World Monkeys which are found in Africa, Asia 
and Europe.
• Apes: This group is split into the Gibbons (lesser apes) and the great apes which include chimps, orangutans, gorillas and humans.
For more information on primate classification see our Primates Family Tree and our discussion on Primate Classification.
See Also Primate Conservation
Websites:
Animal Diversity Web
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu
Detailed, but non academic information on all primate species.
Animal Planet
http://animal.discovery.com
Very good descriptons of a number of primates plus some great pictures.
Animals
http://animals.timduru.org
Vast amount of animal pictures here including baboons, chimps, gorillas, lemurs, monkeys and orangutans.
ARKive
www.arkive.org
Excellent resource. The website is an archive of species information and includes classifications, ranges, descriptions and more. Not just for primates but for most species. Highly recommended.
Brain Museum
http://brainmuseum.org/Specimens/primates
Includes brain photos and brain sections plus brief physical characteristics for a number of primate species.
Colchester Sixth Form College
www.colchsfc.ac.uk/biology/zoo.htm
Useful non academic description of primate characteristics. Includes diagrams.
Enchanted Learning
www.enchantedlearning.com
Factsheets and print outs for younger children. Their extensive collection includes a number of Primate printouts
The First Primates
http://anthro.palomar.edu
Very good introduction to primate evolution.
Free Jigsaw Puzzles
http://freejigsawpuzzles.com .
Loads of online jigsaw puzzles. If you want to do a monkey jigsaw, then click on any of the links below:
Lemur Puzzle
Douc Langur
Vervet Monkey
Spider Monkey
Henry Villas Zoo
www.vilaszoo.org
Games include a Lemur jigsaw puzzle.
Investigate Biodiversity
http://investigate.conservation.org/xp/IB/
Direct to Primate Classifications for excellent descriptions and photos.
Monkey World
www.monkeyworld.co.uk
This is the children's section of Monkey World ape rescue centre in Dorset. You will find jokes, a competition, a quiz, games and animations.
National Geographic Kids
www.nationalgeographic.com/kids
Has various activities for children, including the Print 'N' Go Colouring Book which has, amongst other animals, Chimps, Gorillas and Orangs.
Palomar College
http://anthro.palomar.edu/primate
Excellent non academic treatment of the taxonomy and general characteristics of primates, including sound files for pronunciation!
Primate Info Net
http://pin.primate.wisc.edu
Comprehensive directory of primate information and factsheets.
Primates.com
www.primates.com
Pictures and fact sheets on most primates, including a list of endangered primate species.
Sandiego Zoo
www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/games/
Excellent website and this section contains online animal games for young children.
San Francisco Zoo
www.sfzoo.org/kids/games.htm
At the San Francisco Zoo website you find some games you have to print out - crosswords, mazes, colouring pages and so on.
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
http://nationalzoo.si.edu
Further reading on primate characteristics.
Switcheroo Zoo!
http://www.switchzoo.com
Great fun! Animal morphing for younger children.
Zoo School
http://www.zooschool.ecsd.net/primates.htm
Simple explanation of what a primate is plus extra information on Spider Monkeys, Red Fronter Lemurs, Squirrel Monkeysm Cotton Topped Tamarins and White Handed Gibbons. Great pictures.
Zoos UK
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/zoodirectory
Excellent listing of UK zoos.
And Finally ........
Monkey the TV Series
www.monkeyheaven.com
OK. Not strictly primates but one of my old favourites. You can get monkey screen savers and greetings cards from here.
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