Adopt a Gorilla or Golden Lion Tamarin.
Human
Origins Program at
the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History.
About Primates
There are more 300 species of primates in the worldfrom humans and apes to monkeys and prosimians ("premonkeys"). Several primate species have been discovered in Brazil and Madagascar in recent years.
The smallest primate is the pygmy mouse lemur, which can fit in the palm of your hand. The largestthe gorillacan weigh more than 400 pounds. Most primates live in warm climates, and most depend on forests for their survival.
Ape or Monkey?
The most obvious differences between apes and monkeys are: apes don't have tails, and they are generally larger than most other primates. Like most rules, this one has exceptions: some monkeys lack tails and some are large. Gibbons, considered to be lesser apes, are smaller than some monkeys. Apes rely more on vision than smell, and their noses are short and broad, rather than snoutlike. Apes are capable of creating tools and using language. They have complex social lives and are capable thinkers and problem-solvers. 
Learn about more differences among primates.
Who's Who?
- Great apes
gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos
live in Africa and Asia - Lesser apes
gibbons and siamangs
live in Asia - Monkeys
Old World monkeys
baboons, macaques, and colobus monkeys
live in Africa and Asia
New World monkeys
marmosets, tamarins, and capuchins
live in South and Central America - Prosimians
lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers
live in Africa and Asia
Facts About Primates at the Zoo
Gibbons
Goeldi's Monkeys
Golden-Headed Lion Tamarins
Golden Lion Tamarins
Gorillas
Howler Monkeys
Lemurs
Orangutans
Pygmy
Marmosets (not at the Zoo)
See a map of the present
and ancient range of great apes in Africa (lowland
and mountain gorilla, chimpanzee, and bonobo)
See a map of the present
and ancient range of apes in Asia
(orangutans and gibbons)
Did You Know...
Because gorillas and humans are so closely related,
most diseases can be transmitted from humans to gorillas and
vice versa. This is the reason for the glass enclosures at
the National Zoo's Great Ape House. The glass prevents any
exchange of disease between visitors and gorillas.
In addition, infant gorillas receive the same inoculations as human babies. They also receive tetanus, and rabies inoculations throughout their lives.
