Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1

353


Orangutan
the richly colored orangutan is found
in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra in
Southeast asia. Orangutans spend most of
their time high up in the trees searching for
fruit, shoots, leaves, and insects. they live alone,
except where there is plenty of food.

Macaque MOnkey
Monkeys and apes show behavior that we describe
as “intelligent.” these creatures communicate well,
have good memories, and are able to solve problems.
a famous example is the Japanese macaque monkeys
that discovered that by washing its food in water they
could get rid of the dirt and sand on it. Other
members of the troop saw what the monkey
was doing and copied it.

gOrilla
Measuring up to 6 ft (2 m)
in height, gorillas are the
largest apes. gorillas are slow,
gentle creatures—unless
disturbed—and they spend
their time resting and eating
leaves, stems, and shoots.
gorillas live in small family
groups that travel slowly
through the forest, eating
some, but not all of the food
in one area before moving
on to another place.

aMOng tHe MOSt intelligent creatures on
earth are the apes—chimpanzees, gorillas, gibbons,
and orangutans. they have large brains, long arms,
fingers, and toes, and their bodies are covered in
hair. in body shape and intelligence these
creatures resemble humans. Both apes and
humans belong to the larger group known
as primates. closely related to apes are
monkeys, a larger group of animals that
includes baboons, macaques, colubuses, and
marmosets. Monkeys and apes have a similar
body form, although monkeys tend to be
smaller. a pygmy marmoset weighs only 5 oz
(150 g), whereas a huge male “silverback” gorilla
weighs as much as 400 lb (180 kg). Both monkeys
and apes have a rounded face, small ears, and
large eyes that face forward. they use their front
limbs like arms, and their hands can grasp
strongly and manipulate delicately. Most monkeys
have tails, which they use as a counterbalance as
they swing through trees. in some monkeys, the tail
is strong and prehensile (grasping); apes, however,
have no tails. apes and monkeys feed on a variety of
foods, including fruit, leaves, insects, and birds’ eggs.

Today, orangutans are in danger of
extinction because their forest homes are
being cleared for timber and farmland.

Shaggy
coat of
reddish-
brown
hair

Arms are very
long in relation
to the body.

PriMateS
all monkeys and apes belong to the
mammal group called primates.
Other primates include bush
babies, pottos, tarsiers, and
humans. today, many primates,
including gibbons and the
other apes, are on the official
list of endangered species.

Breeding
a gorilla group
contains between five and
10 animals. there is one large
male, several females, and their
young of various ages. the young are born singly;
a female gives birth about every four years.

Prehensile hand
can grasp.

apes 353- Monkeys and

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