Suggested Readings 75Questions for Reflection
- Does knowing more about the numerous similarities
among the primates including humans motivate you person-
ally to want to meet the challenge of preventing the extinction
of our primate cousins? How would you go about doing this? - Considering some of the trends seen among the pri-
mates, such as increased brain size or reduced tooth num-
ber, why is it that we cannot say that some primates are more
evolved than others? What is wrong with the statement that
humans are more evolved than chimpanzees? - Two systems exist for dividing the primate order into
suborders because of difficulties with classifying tarsiers.
Should classification systems be based on genetic relation-
ships or based on the biological concept of grade? Is the con-
tinued use of the older terminology an instance of inertia or
a difference in philosophy? How do the issues brought up by
the “tarsier problem” translate to the hominoids?- What aspects of mammalian primate biology do you
see reflected in yourself or in other humans you know? - Many primate species are endangered today. What hu-
man factors are causing endangerment of primates, and how
can we prevent the extinction of our closest living relatives?
Suggested Readings
de Waal, F.B.M. (2001). The ape and the sushi master. New
York: Basic.
This masterful discussion of the presence of culture among
apes moves this concept from an anthropocentric realm and
ties it instead to communication and social organization. In
an accessible style, Frans de Waal, one of the world’s fore-
most experts on bonobos, demonstrates ape culture while
challenging human intellectual theories designed to exclude
animals from the “culture club.”
de Waal, F.B.M. (2003). My family album: Thirty years of pri-
mate photography. Berkeley: University of California Press.
This book expertly blends scientific theories with photo-
graphs. De Waal illustrates the emotional intelligence, per-
sonality, and diverse social behaviors of the apes and Old
World monkeys he has encountered in the field.
Fossey, D. (1983). Gorillas in the mist. Burlington, MA:
Houghton Mifflin.
The late Dian Fossey is to gorillas what Jane Goodall is to
chimpanzees. Fossey devoted years to the study of gorilla be-
havior in the field. This book is about the first thirteen years
of her study; as well as being readable and informative, it is
well illustrated.
Galdikas, B. (1995). Reflections on Eden: My years with the
orangutans of Borneo. New York: Little, Brown.
Biruté Galdikas is the least known of the trio of young
women sent by Louis Leakey in 1971 to study apes in the
wild. Her work with the orangutans of Borneo, however, is
magnificent. In this book she presents rich scientific infor-
mation as well as her personal reflections on a life spent fully
integrated with orangutans and the culture of Borneo.Goodall, J. (1990). Through a window: My thirty years with
the chimpanzees of Gombe. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
This fascinating book is a personal account of Jane Goodall’s
early experiences studying wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. A
pleasure to read and a fount of information on the behavior
of these apes, the book is profusely illustrated as well.Goodall, J. (2000). Reason for hope: A spiritual journey. New
York: Warner.
Jane Goodall’s memoir linking her monumental life’s work
with the chimpanzees of Gombe to her spiritual convictions.
She clearly states her commitment to conferring on chim-
panzees the same rights and respect experienced by humans
through the exploration of difficult topics such as environ-
mental destruction, animal abuse, and genocide. She expands
the concept of humanity while providing us with powerful
reasons to maintain hope.Rowe, N., & Mittermeier, R. A. (1996). The pictorial guide to
the living primates. East Hampton, NY: Pogonias.
Filled with dynamic photographs of primates in nature, this
book also provides concise descriptions (including anatomy,
taxonomy, diet, social structure, maps, and so on) for 234
species of primates. The book is useful for students and pri-
matologists alike.