The purpose of this visit is to get a better idea and appreciation of the differences and similarities between these primate groups and we, human beings. It is suggested that we can achieve such goal by studying closely three major characteristics of the primate groups: locomotion, communication, and general group behaviors, because apparently these characteristics they display are the features that set them apart from other less intelligent animals, and which support the suggestion that they are indeed closely related to us human beings. This approach, therefore, shall be the one I take.

We shall start with some descriptions of the groups¡¦ habitats. One thing I noticed was that the habitats of several groups are very

Like the Angolan colobus monkeys, the gorillas would habitually groom each other from time to time. The difference here is that there did not seem to be any observable restriction as to who performs and who enjoys the grooming. It happens between the silverback male and the adult females, the adult females and their children, and also between the juveniles.

One thing in which I found humor is the similarities displayed by young primates and young humans. Very often, the youngsters would chase one another, and play with one another in ways not entirely foreign to humans. At times, they may even get so excited as to start a fight with one another. I found that humorous and shocking, because if they were to have children¡¦s appearance, one might not be able to tell the differences between them and ordinary children.

During my observation, the bonobos, also known as pygmy chimps, mostly walk quadrupedally and with their knuckles. I believe that is due to the same reason that gorillas are quadrupedal, which is their long arms. However, according to the information provided by the zoo, the bonobos are actually able to walk bipedally.

There are several ways to distinguish members of the group. First, we could use the size of their foot. The six-feet gorilla Memba has undoubtedly the largest feet comparing with the others. Ages of the gorillas, therefore, are relative to their foot sizes. The oldest gorilla, Memba, naturally has the biggest feet while the juveniles Maka¡¦s and Tetu¡¦s feet are smaller. Second, the gorillas have visible difference in color and some minor fur characteristics, provided that the observer pays close attention. Maka has a light-brown hair on the top of his head. Memba is the only one having a silverback, which according to zoologists means he is the head of the whole troop. Third, and very intuitively, body size is also proportional to age. The adults, for example, are much bigger than the juveniles. However, the body shape can also help us distinguish a gorilla¡¦s sex: The male¡¦s body is usually more rugged, bigger, and stronger, while the females do not possess such profound features.

The gorillas exhibit a different property when they walk; a special locomotion called knuckle walking. Since their arms are so much longer than their legs, their movement is greatly facilitated by the help of the arms as well. They would curl up their fingers and use their knuckles to support their body weight, so as to share the burden that would otherwise solely rely on their legs. Besides, in my opinion, due to the shape of their body their center of gravity is actually placed more to the front, and quadrupedalism seems a lot more natural than bipedalism. In terms of their ability to travel, I observed that they do not walk long distances ¡V they would sit down for a while after a short walk and resume afterward. They could stand up for grasping objects, or to enjoy a better field of view when observing something interesting to them. The adults do not stand upright for very long, while the youngsters have a lower center of gravity and spend more time in an upright posture. They would also stand up sometimes for chest beating. Their big toes are opposable, and so they have no problem grabbing food or climbing trees. Also, they would somehow run very fast horizontally, or in a sidelong fashion. According to the information the Zoo provided, an infant gorilla usually clings to its mother for a ride. By 18 months, it can follow the mother¡¦s footstep for a short distance, and is later able to use

Some topics in this essay:
Angolan Colobus, Schmidt¡¦s Spot-nosed, Maka¡¦s Tetu¡¦s, Memba Jessica, Alvila Azizi, Gerry Imani, Primate Mesa, Diego Zoo, Primates Observed, Thirty-two-year-old Memba, adult females, angolan colobus, schmidt¡¦s spot-nosed, spot-nosed guenons, schmidt¡¦s spot-nosed guenons, lion-tailed macaques, allen¡¦s swamp monkeys, gorilla gorilla, colobus monkeys, swamp monkeys, verbal communication, allen¡¦s swamp, angolan colobus monkeys, bird primate mesa, gorillas gorilla gorilla,