Primatology studies living non-human primates, including monkeys, gibbons, great apes, and humans, to better understand our biological and behavioral characteristics. Humans share a common ancestor with primates dating back six million years ago. Primates have unique characteristics, such as upper body erections, opposable thumbs, and a shift towards sight over smell. Early primatologist Robert Yerkes studied social behavior, stress, IQ tests, and physiology, while Dianne Fossey famously studied mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
Primatology is the scientific study of living non-human primates. Primates are our closest relatives of all living things. Monkeys, gibbons, great apes, and humans are all primates. Primatology exists because humans have a unique place within primates. Primatology gives us a greater understanding of biological nature.
Unlike traditional academic methods, primatology is defined more by the object of study, that of primates, than by the specific topic it addresses. Primatology helps humans better understand our characteristics. We owe these characteristics to our primate ancestors and this allows us to determine what makes us human. It also helps us understand what makes us tick, both biologically and behaviorally.
Humans didn’t exactly evolve from apes. We share a common ancestor, dating back to about six million years ago. Modern apes and other primates have evolved since that time, as have humans. Primatology takes into account the need not to view modern primate studies as literal readings of our ancient past.
Primates are one of the most diverse groups of mammals. They vary enormously in size. They may be the smallest of the mouse lemurs, at just 24-38 grams (85-1.3 oz), for the enormous adult male gorilla, which can weigh up to 200 kg (440 lb).
Primate characteristics include a tendency for upper body erections when standing, sitting, and walking. Their hands also have five fingers, and most have opposable thumbs. Primates also have nails instead of claws.
Another feature of primates is that the eyes are located in the front of the face. They also have a heavy dependence on learned behavior and a small number of children. In primates, there is also a shift from the sense of smell towards the sense of sight and the use of tactile organs such as the hands.
Psychobiologist Robert Yerkes was an early primatologist. In the 1930s he directed the Yerkes Regional Primate Center in Atlanta. It had the largest collection of monkeys in the country. His primatology tests included social behavior, stress, IQ tests, and physiology.
One well-known primatology expert is Dianne Fossey. In 1967, she studied mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Fossey is thought to have been killed trying to protect her gorillas from hunters. Gorillas in the Mist is a film about Fossey’s life starring Sigourney Weaver, and is a great starting point for anyone interested in the study of primates.
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