Summary of experience in zoo - Essay Example

College Summary of experience in the zoo During the zoo visit, we came across different types of primates, the apes, prosimians and monkeys all of which differed in characteristics slightly despite their major similarities as primates. We observed the following in the first primate; 1. Giant ant eater (Prosimian)Scientific name: MyrmecophagatridactylaThe ant eater is a terrestrial quadrupedalism primate. Though its front limbs are used to pull the rest of the body forward, it is mostly on its fours.

They can also climb trees. It is fed with worms and milk when caged to ensure that it does not get less of its foraging more so because it has no teeth. Most of the things must be grounded. They swallow large chunks of food. It sleeps only when very full and curls up in the grass to rest. They eat and lie during the day. None are nocturnal. They like long grass and dense to lie on. It is an insectivorous mammal that feeds on large and small insects mostly ants because termites were not in plenty.

It uses the back to carry small ones. They also use their fore limbs to reach on trees with feet to the ground. It uses its front limbs to walk and then pulls the rest of its body forward. Thus, the hands serve as the legs too. They do not vocalize anything. They seem to lack expressions more so due to their elongated snouts. Females take care of their young ones protectively. 2. Gorilla (Ape) Scientific name: Gorilla gorillaThe gorilla is a terrestrial quadrupedalism primate. It however is more like a human.

It uses its front limbs to eat and hold with its fingers. They rest on grass or open ground; play with others and even with humans. They also rest on tree branches. They sleep on trees where mostly have built their own nests. When climbing one may say they are vertical clinging and leaping primates. They are fed with fruits and leaves of certain plants. They also eat roots and feed on succulent things. They are always looking for something fleshy to feed on such as a fruit. They hold on the hand and eat like a human.

They hold on to their young ones with front limbs like the arm of a human. They also carry them on their backs when walking. A gorilla knuckle walks using its four limbs. They make some utterances that cannot be understood. They mostly have the horizontal pout. However, they grin when food is brought to them or when asking for food they pout. They live in groups. 3. Monkey Scientific name: MacacafascicularisThe monkeys are mostly arboreal. They are vertically clinging and leaping primates. They rest on trees and hold on to branches with arms like humans or their tails which are rather flexible.

They sleep on trees where mostly have built their own nests. They like to sleep high on the trees they live on. They are fed with fruits and leaves of certain plants. They also eat roots and feed on succulent things. They are always looking for something fleshy to feed on such as a fruit. They hold on to their young ones with front limbs like the arm of a human. They also carry them on their backs when walking or running thus the young ones support themselves with their arms. A monkey uses its fore arms just like human hands.

They are very intelligent primates. They make some utterances that cannot be understood but they seem to communicate perfectly as they chirp. They mostly employ the fear grin especially when afraid. But they are always ready to fight back or run. They grin when food is brought to them and also have the play face. They live in groups too some large some small. ReferencesThe Psychological Well-Being of Non human Primates. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press, 1998. Multilevel Societies in New World Primates Flexibility May Characterize the Organization of Peruvian Red Uakaris (cacajaoCalvusUcayalii). , 2012.