Primate behaviour

Question 1

Primates

Answer 1

Mammals that usually posses dexterous hands and feet with opposable thumbs and have good eyesight and highly developed brains in some.
Order has lemurs, monkeys, lorises and apes - (humans)

Question 2

What do primate groups require

Answer 2

Complex social behaviour to support the social hierarchy

Question 3

How do primates take care of there young?

Answer 3

Primates produces small number of young and take great care of them, the offspring are completely helpless and require much care from parents.
The offspring will learn complex social behaviours required for survival like hunting, foraging and recognising danger.
Through observation and play the young will also learn skills like communication and cooperation and sharing

Question 4

Care of young gorillas example

Answer 4

It’s exclusively job of mother
Until 5 months the offspring is in constant physical contact with mother, from then on the mother will relinquish control up to a year where she will allow it to move as far as 5m away from her

Question 5

Gorilla case study - communication (vocalisations)

Answer 5

Gorillas have at least 22 sounds used for communication.
They are varied from alarm calls to infants whimpers.
They grunt at the end of their midday nap session as though to indicate it is about to end

Question 6

Gorilla case study - communication

non verbal

Answer 6

gorillas have very similar facial expressions to humans. Aggression is often displayed by a stern, fixed stare with lips pressed tightly together. Fearful displays are made with an open mouth/exposed canines and their eyes shift nervously.

Question 7

Gorilla case study - play

Answer 7

Allows younger gorillas to learn and practice skills they will need for adult life, they will do this with the silverback who will keep them in line and protect them

Question 8

How is conflict reduced in primates?

Answer 8

Members within social hierarchy’s have evolved to use ritualistic behaviours to prevent conflict, injury and waste of energy
They will show threatening displays, like chest beating or roaring.
This will continue until one backs down and displays appeasement behaviour

Question 9

Appeasement behaviours

Answer 9

Submissive positions and gestures to diffuse hostile situations
Subordinate animals will do these to the dominant male to show their acceptance of their control.
These could be grooming, facial expression and body posture depending on the species

Question 10

Grooming

Answer 10

As in all primates (including many humans), grooming to remove parasites such as lice is an important social activity, which occurs between all members of the troop, reinforcing relationships between individuals and is an effective way of reducing tension within the group.

Question 11

Social status

Answer 11

Most members accept their place in the hierarchy, and challenging individuals higher up rarely happens however the hierarchy if fluid so it can be changed. Formations of alliances are one way this is done

Question 12

Alliances

Answer 12

Develop social bonds between individuals which improves positions within the social hierarchy