Primates: Locomotor Patterns

Lemurs:

a.) Lemurs live on the island of Madagascar in almost every ecosystem. Most live and spend most of their time in the trees. Swinging from branch to branch in the rain forest tree canopy above.

b.) The lemurs locomotor pattern is vertical clinging and leaping, in a quadrupedal motion. They can leap very far distances and rarely hit a distance they can't jump.

c.) These primates have definitely adapted to their environment. Being able to leap far distances is an asset to them of course but there is certain times where they can not reach. That being the case they have adapted to making their way down to the ground and bipedally hopping sideways with their arms out most likely for balance; which has been known to be called the "dance-hop"

Spider Monkeys:

a.) Found in the tropical rain forests of Central America. They are definitely one of the noisier primates. It is a defense mechanism to ward off predators and to warn others. They yell and shake the tress when they see or feel danger.

b.) Their locomotor pattern is similar to lemurs but different because they don't use four limbs. They use four limbs and their tail! Their tail is one of their biggest assets. It makes for a interesting sight when you see them swinging through the jungle hanging from their tails.

c.) Spider Monkeys have adapted to make their tail very useful to them. Since they can hang from solely their tail which is strong enough to hold them up so they can use their others limbs to pick and gather food. They also have very strong hands which helps them grasp tighter and move faster for a quick getaway from predators.

Baboons:

a.) Baboons tend to live in much dryer climates like the Savana. They also spend more time on the ground rather than in the tress; and they eat various things like fruit or small rodents.

b.) The locomotor pattern of baboons is walking on all fours (quadrupedally) because they stay on the ground mostly and don't normally swing from trees.

c.) His environment is perfect for him, why adapt his feet were made for walking and that is exactly what he does! No need for a tail like a spider monkey. His four limbs do him well, and most of the food he eats is found on or near the ground.

Gibbons:

a.) Gibbons are found in the tropical and sub-tropical rain- forests of South, Southeast, and East Asia. They tend to eat fruits leaves and slimy little insects. They also are pretty quick and swift primates their predators find it hard to catch them; the Gibbons definitely give them a run for their money.

b.) Gibbons locomotor pattern is traveling from tree to tree kind of the same way you would on monkey bars in a playground; one hand in front of the other. They also walk sometimes, not on all fours like the baboon but bipedally on two feet across branches. Although they do that far less often, then swinging from tree to tree.

c.) The environment influences the Gibbons pattern, since they have such long arms and very light weight they adapted to use the means of travel they do now; swinging from branch to branch. It helps because they find everything they want or need high in the tree tops. It also keeps them far from harm and predators.

Chimpanzees:

a.) Chimps are very social primates they are usually in packs found in the African rain-forests, but they can also be found in grasslands as well. Chimps are some of the most intelligent of all primates and they seem to know it.

b.) A Chimps locomotor pattern is mainly walking on all fours (quadrupedally) but also bipedally. When they travel quadrupedal style they are also known as "knuckle walkers" like a gorilla. When chimpanzees on the ground they tend to stay in packs. But like other primates they enjoy a swing in the trees as well. The trees is where they tend to sleep and eat.

c.) Their environment and abilities definitely plays to their advantage as they are comfortable on the ground or in the trees.


        Environment does play a role in the way primates do things; but most primates are very smart they learn and adapt to everything because of the size of their brains. But yes some primates would probably suffer if they were to live where the baboons choose to live in a place like the Savana. And that is because some of them tend to stay in the trees and move quicker and stay safer in those environments. A good environment is very important to the well being of a primate.