Primates

Humans are part of the primate family. Other common primates include monkeys, baboons, orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas.

Primates have a number of distinctive features that separate them from other mammals. Primates have well developed hands and feet, with fingers and toes. An opposable thumb makes it easy for them to grab things. Primates' eyes are forward in the head, giving them stereoscopic vision and enabling them to judge distance. Primates also have large, highly developed brains. The highly developed visual center of the brain helps primates distinguish colors. Their intelligence allows them to control and manipulate their environment. Their large brains also allow them to develop complex language and communication skills.

Although primates are born fully formed, they tend to have long gestation periods in the womb. Primate parents also care for and educate their young much longer than do other animals, resulting in a strong bond between a baby and its mother. Primates are very social animals and tend to form strong bonds with family and friends.

While humans, monkeys, and apes are all primates and have many similarities, there are also significant differences. Monkeys and apes walk on all four limbs, but they can run upright using only their hind legs. Humans both run and walk upright on two legs. While apes are known to use simple tools, such as a stick to use for probing for ants and eating them, humans are able to make and use complex tools to help control their environment. Additionally, the human brain is more than twice as large as that of other primates. Humans are the most intelligent primates and have the most developed communication, language, and reasoning skills. However, humans do not have the muscle strength even of the smaller apes.