Lemurs:
Lemurs are found in Madagascar and the Comoros Islands. They tend to live mainly in rain-forest environments but can sometimes be found in desert-like climates. They are primarily vegetarians, feeding on leaves and fruits, but sometimes eat insects and smaller prey. Their diets are adapted to the environment in the fact that they are limited to the food in their particular habitat. In this case they have adapted to eating food found in either tropical forests or in deserts.
Spider monkeys are found living in the tree-tops of tropical rainforests ranging from Mexico down to Brazil. Spider monkeys will eat plants, seeds, nuts, fruits, and even small birds. Their diets are adapted to the environment in the fact that they are limited to what food can be found in their particular habitat. In this case they are adapted to eating what can be found within the trees and at the tree tops.
Baboons:
Baboons are found living in Africa and Asia primarily in desert-like environment and occasionally in tropical forests as well. Baboons tend to eat everything they can get their hands on. This includes fruits, plants, seeds, bark, insects, and smaller prey. Their diets are adapted to the environment in the fact that they are limited to what food can be found in their particular habitat. In this case they have adapted to eating food found in either tropical forests or in deserts.
Gibbons:
Gibbons are known to reside in trees in southern Asia and are rarely known to be on the ground. Gibbons eat primarily fruit, but very rarely will eat insects or smaller prey. Their diets are adapted to the environment in the fact that they are limited to what food can be found in their particular habitat. In this case they don’t need to adapt much as their primary food is fruit which is easily found in their environment.
Chimpanzees:
Chimpanzees live primarily in Africa in the forests and grasslands and the species are separated by the Congo River. Chimpanzee’s diets consist of plants, fruits, seeds, insects and meats of smaller prey, and even human food if it provided to them. Their diets are adapted to the environment in the fact that they are limited to what food can be found in their particular habitat. In this case they are limited to what can be found in the forests and grasslands of Africa.
I love the fact that most of these primates are so adaptable to their environment. It's quite interesting to know that Chimpanzees have limited resources therefore their diets have to adapt to what is around them. I think its interesting to know that Gibbons don't really have to adapt since their main food source is fruit. Great job!
ReplyDeleteNicely done. We used similar pictures to represent these primates. After this assginment I really see myself wanting a chimp (if legal) for a pet. After reading your post they're diet seems simple and I like the fact they are able to eat human food. =)
ReplyDeleteGood blog post! A common comment you make is that primates' diet is adapted to the environment and what is available. Is there an advantage of an omnivorous diet over a specialized one? Which primate might be able to adapt easier to a changing environment, a lemur or a baboon?
ReplyDeleteTiana,
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't recommend a chimp for a pet! The infants are adorable, but the adults are terrifying. They are strong and can be vicious. I wouldn't come anywhere near a set of their canines!
My mom used to babysit two kids with a monkey and my mom said it was the monkey who was the awful one to watch. Otherwise she loved watching the kids. I liked your post. It is crazy how much the lemur has adapted to just Madagascar's food and how different they look compared to the other primates due to isolation.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how so many primates are able to adapt their diet to their habitat. It was intresting to learn that most of the primates discussed, with the exception of the Gibbon are omnivors much like us humans. Great Post!
ReplyDelete~~ Kelly Morales-Barry