# What is a primate?

> Primates include monkeys, apes, lemurs, lorises and tarsiers — mammals with forward-facing eyes, grasping hands, and (in most) opposable thumbs. Humans are primates. Primates (order Primates) include monkeys, apes, lemurs, lorises and tarsiers — mammals with forward-facing eyes, grasping hands and (in most) opposable thumbs.

**Category:** Wildlife  ·  **Updated:** 2026-07-05

## Key takeaways
- Forward eyes and grasping hands define primates.
- 500+ species — humans included.
- ~60% threatened — highest mammal group share.
- All orangutans Critically Endangered.
- Pet trade and bushmeat remove slow-reproducing apes.
- Habitat protection beats sanctuary intake alone.

## Answer
Roughly 500 primate species exist; about 60% are threatened with extinction — the highest proportion of any mammal group.

Threats include deforestation, bushmeat hunting, and the illegal pet trade (slow lorises, orangutans, chimpanzees).

All three orangutan species are Critically Endangered; gorillas and many lemurs face similar trajectories.

## Primate anatomy and behaviour
Forward-facing eyes overlap visual fields — depth perception for leaping between branches. Opposable thumbs and sensitive fingertips manipulate food and tools — extensive in great apes. Most primates are arboreal or mixed arboreal–terrestrial; exceptions include baboons and humans. Social systems range from solitary orangutans to multi-male gorilla groups and large monkey troops. Long lifespans and slow reproduction in apes amplify extinction risk from hunting — one killed mother may mean decades without replacement offspring.

## Major groups
Strepsirrhines include lemurs of Madagascar and lorises of Africa and Asia — wet nose, often nocturnal. Haplorhines include monkeys, apes and tarsiers — dry nose, mostly diurnal. New World monkeys (Americas) have prehensile tails in many species; Old World monkeys and apes (Africa, Asia) lack prehensile tails except partial exceptions. Apes lack tails entirely — gorillas, chimps, bonobos, orangutans, gibbons. Understanding groups aids CITES enforcement — great apes Appendix I with strictest trade bans.

## Threats across regions
Southeast Asia — orangutan palm oil deforestation, slow loris pet trade on social media. Central Africa — gorilla and chimp bushmeat in commercial markets. Madagascar — lemur habitat loss and hunting after political instability. Central and South America — spider monkey and howler forest fragmentation. Snares and logging roads penetrate all regions. Climate change shifts montane lemur and monkey ranges upward until no habitat remains.

## Conservation responses
Habitat protection remains foundation — corridors, national parks, indigenous land rights. Anti-trafficking targets online sales and tourist photo props with drugged lorises. Community ecotourism funds guards where revenue reaches locals. Rehabilitation centres handle confiscated orphans but cannot replace wild populations — prevention beats intake. WARN orangutan and slow loris content links primates to trafficking and habitat appeals donors can verify.

## FAQ
### What is a primate?
Mammals with forward-facing eyes, grasping hands and usually opposable thumbs — includes monkeys, apes, lemurs and humans.

### Are humans primates?
Yes — great apes alongside chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos.

### Why are primates endangered?
Deforestation, bushmeat, snares, pet trade — ~60% of species threatened, highest mammal share.

### Are lemurs primates?
Yes — endemic to Madagascar; most species threatened from habitat loss and hunting.

### Monkey vs ape?
Apes lack tails and include great apes; monkeys usually have tails — see WARN comparison.

### How can I avoid fueling primate trade?
Never buy primates as pets; report social media showing pet apes or drugged lorises; fund habitat partners.

## Sources
- [IUCN Primate Specialist Group](https://www.iucn.org)

Human-readable page: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-is-a-primate