Primates

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Primates Order of mammals that includes monkeys, apes, and human beings. Primates, native to most tropical and sub-tropical regions, are mostly herbivorous, diurnal (day-active), arboreal (tree-dwelling) animals. Their hands and feet, usually with flat nails instead of claws, are adapted for grasping. Most species have opposable thumbs, and all but humans have opposable big toes. They have a poor sense of smell, good hearing, and acute binocular vision. The outstanding feature of primates is a large complex brain and high intelligence. Primate characteristics are less pronounced in the relatively primitive prosimians (tree shrews, bushbabies, lorises, and tarsiers) and are most pronounced in the more numerous and advanced anthropoids (monkeys, apes, and human beings).

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