PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY - ZOO FIELD TRIP
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS: This exercise is to be completed based upon observations made at the Zoo - not
taken from the Internet or a book (but take your textbook with you to the zoo. It will help you in figuring out some
of the following). Turn in your answers (typed, double-spaced, 1" margins top-bottom-left-right) no later than the
last class day before the Final Exam.
1.
List by genus, species, & common name the following kinds of primates one can see at the Zoo AND give one
fascinating fact about each primate:
a. Prosimians
b. American monkeys
c. African monkeys
d. Asian monkeys
e. Hominoids
2.
For any six of the primates you saw at the zoo, indicate the suborder to which it belongs answer the following
a. To which suborder does it belong (Strepsirhini or Haplorhini).
b. In what kind of habitat is each found? (e.g., savanna, rainforest, woodland, etc.)
c. Where are each found geographically? (continent and region)
d. What is the body size of each
e. What is the primary mode of locomotion of each?
f. How many individuals are in the exhibit? Can you tell how many males / females?
g. Sexually dimorphic species? (In sexual dimorphism, males and females may have different body sizes.)
h. Describe the primate’s hair color, length.
i. What do they eat?
j. Observe the animals in the exhibit for about five minutes, and describe some behaviors you see.
3.
Of ALL of the primates one can see at the S.F. Zoo, which ones are the MOST NUMEROUS? [Think very
carefully about this one.]
4.
Which apes at the S.F. Zoo have INFLATABLE THROAT SACS?
5.
Although most primates are diurnal (day active), several species are nocturnal (night active). Are there any
nocturnal primates at the Zoo? If so, list it/them by Genus-species, common name, & geographical distribution.
6.
An omnivorous dietary pattern is one of the evolutionary trends of the Order Primates. However, not all species
are omnivorous; some are dietary specialists. Name (by Genus-species, common name, and geographical area
of origin) the representatives of the "LEAF-EATING" monkey at the zoo?
7.
Primates are characterized by a diversity of locomotor habits unmatched among the Mammals. These patterns
can be crudely divided into several major categories. Based upon our classroom lectures, your observations at
the zoo, and your textbook, please name at least one primate species at the Zoo for each of the following types
of locomotor patterns:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
8.
Terrestrial (on the ground) quadrupedalism
Knuckle-walking
Brachiation (suspended below branches & swinging from one to another using the arms)
Arboreal quadrupedalism
Vertical clinging and leaping
OBSERVATION: Closely observe the gorillas or lemurs for at least 60 uninterrupted minutes. Then write a one
to two page essay (approximately 250 - 500 words) describing what you observed. Your essay might discuss
such topics as: patterns of social interaction (including grooming behavior, dominance behavior, mother-infant
relationships), composition of the group (number of females, males, adults, sub-adults), feeding patterns,
locomotor patterns, movement patterns, other zoo-related behavior.