Discovering Primates
Discovering Primates
A video journey into the world of primates, their habitats, their lifestyles, and more.
A collection of youth-friendly videos for understanding primates, primate conservation, and how everyone can help.
PRIMATES: What, Who, Where, Why, How, and When?
All primates share certain characteristics that define them as primates. Because primates are so complex, there are exceptions to every rule!
Now that you know that characteristics that define primates, let’s look at which species are primates
Find out where in the world primates live and how they got there.
Why are primates important? Why is primate conservation important? Find out here.
Wondering what you can do to help primates specifically and wildlife in general? Find out here!
A guide to understanding Conservation Statuses. Conservation Statuses are the “codes” that tell us about the health of species and their habitats based upon the many threats that they face. They give us a glimpse into the stability of the Earth’s biodiversity. More than 28,000 species are threatened with extinction, including almost 70% of primate species. Conservation Status categories help us to understand how and why they are at risk. They also help us to understand that there is hope for most species if we all take action, even in small ways, and if we start today.
Want to check out the lesson associated with this video? Find it here: The Alphabet Soup of Conservation
LEARN MORE! ↓
APES: Great and Small
Sometimes referred to as “lesser apes,” gibbons are small acrobatic apes that dwell high in the canopy of tropical and subtropical rainforests across East, South, and Southeast Asia. Known for their extraordinary agility and grace, and their complex songs, these primates are crucial to reforesting their ecosystems.
What’s the difference between apes and monkeys? They are all primates, but monkeys and apes are not the same. This video offers the “nutshell” version of the key differences between them.
MONKEYS
Colobus monkeys are tree-dwelling, leaf-eating monkeys native to eastern, central, and western Africa, comprising twenty-four species in three genera. Mother Nature graced them with very specific and unique physical, behavioral, and lifestyle characteristics that benefit them and their ecosystems. Learn more here: https://neprimateconservancy.org/colobus-monkeys/
Geladas, also known as “bleeding-heart monkeys,” are large, terrestrial, baboon-like primates found only in the Ethiopian highland. They have several distinct physical and behavioral characteristics. In this video, find out what they are. Learn more: https://neprimateconservancy.org/gelada/.
Baboons are large, clever, mostly ground-dwelling monkeys who live in sizeable, complex troops with intricate social lives. Frequently maligned and underappreciated. Six beautiful baboon species grace Africa’s savannas and woodlands. Learn more: neprimateconservancy.org/baboons/.
Some of Latin America’s monkeys have physical adaptations that distinguish them from any other monkeys in the world. The family of monkeys referred to as Atelidae have traits that any superhero would envy. So, who are these remarkable monkeys? What are their distinguishing features? How do these adaptations function? What makes them truly exceptional? Discover the answers here…in a nutshell.
Yes, they’ll steal your lunch, your hat, and your glasses, but they’ll also barter with you to return the non-food items for choice food items. They observe humans and understand our priorities. They are incredibly intelligent! They are perhaps the most maligned monkey species. Why? Because they are clever and adaptable? What’s special about macaques? They are almost as adaptable as humans to a wide variety of climates and living conditions. They are magnificent, diverse, and gravely underappreciated. Here’s an overview of “Macaques—in a nutshell.”
PROSIMIANS
Tarsiers are among the world’s most unusual animals! They are surely the most unique primates. Small, nocturnal, arboreal, mostly solitary, and the only fully carnivorous primates. They consume every part of their prey, including feet and bones. They can turn their heads 180° on each side and they can hunt in darkness by hearing their prey. They are perfect predators. Watch the video to learn about tarsiers…in a nutshell.
Copyright ©New England Primate Conservancy 2025