An adult orangutan on a rope swing A climbing orangutan
Primates

All about Primates

Primates are a huge order of animals made up of over 233 species, including humans. They have some amazing adaptations like large, forward-facing eyes with good vision, grasping thumbs, and flat nails on their fingers and/or toes instead of claws or hooves. Did you know one of the most unique adaptations belongs to the aye-aye of Madagascar? It has a long, skinny middle finger that it uses to tap trees to find hollow spots that might contain insects to eat. Then, after it chews a small hole in the tree, it uses that same finger like a pipe cleaner to fish out the insects to eat.


Learn more about primates, including where they live, what they eat, and how we can help continue the conservation of these incredible animals.

Primates Resources

Orangutan

Animal InfoBook: Orangutans

Investigate orangutans and discover the facts about these delightful yet endangered primates.

Orangutans InfoBook

an adult gorilla sits with a baby

Animal InfoBooks: Gorillas

Get the facts about gorillas--from their physical characteristics to the conservation issues they face.

Gorillas InfoBook

Lemurs

Lemurs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Lemurs can be found throughout Busch Gardens! Watch these primates play at the Edge of Africa!

Meet Lemurs

the face of a gorilla is visible, partially obscured by foliage

Gorillas and Primates

Visit our gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, lemurs and gibbons to learn more about these amazing animals and how you can help our conservation efforts.

Meet Gorillas & Primates

Ring-Tailed Lemur

Activities

Schooling at home? Keep your students engaged with these primates-themed classroom activities.

Color em Ape-ish (K-3)

Primate Trading Cards (K-3)

Primate Dichotomous Key (4-8)

Primate Research (9-12)

Primate Scavenger Hunt (9-12)