Primates in the Central Park Zoo

While at the Zoo, take time to closely observe the primates that are there (including humans if you wish). You should spend at least 15 minutes watching the lemurs inside and 20 minutes watching the snow monkeys outside. Answer the following questions (you can find this information on the signs by each species or you can ask the zoo keepers questions):
scientific name: ex. Lemur cattus (the ring-tailed lemurs)
what family they are in: prosimians, New World monkeys, Old World monkeys, or apes.
natural habitat: forest, savanna, etc.
diet: if not on the signs, ask the zoo keepers
country/area of origin
While you watch each group of animals observe their interactions with each other (or lack of them in some cases) and answer the following questions:
What kind of locomotion do they use (i.e., ground running and walking, semi-brachiation, etc. See the Week 11 Lecture Notes for these terms)?
Can you tell which are the dominant and subservient individuals?
Can you tell which are the males or females and which are juveniles and which are adults?
Can you infer anything about familial or friend connections between individuals?
Are there friendly or hostile interactions?
Who grooms whom and under what circumstances?
Do the animals take notice of the visitors?
Use your powers of observation and your artists’ eyes and tell me what you see. If you want, you can add sketches or photos of the animals.Words Characters Reading time