Primate Animals

This course covers primate classification, anatomy and evolution, from lemurs and lorises through to monkeys and apes. You will study primate diet, health and behaviour in the wild, along with the psychological wellbeing and management of primates kept in captivity. The course finishes with breeding programmes and conservation efforts for threatened species. Suitable for anyone passionate about primates or working in wildlife care or conservation.

Are you passionate about primates? If you want to learn all about the different types of primates and their different characteristics, this is the course of you. learn about conservation of primates in the wild and keeping and breeding healthy primates in captivity. Course Duration: 100 hours of self-paced study. Start Date: Start at any time. Study with the help and support of our expert tutors. COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT The Primates course consists of ten lessons: 1. Introduction to Primates – scope, nature, anatomy & physiology, evolution, taxonomy Order Primates. Discerning Features of Primates. Taxonomy of Primates. Platyrrhines. Catarrhines. Evolution. Anatomical and physiological characteristics. 2. The Strepsirhines Aye-aye. Lorises, Pottos and Angwantibos. Bushbabies and Dwarf Galagos. Lemur. Sportive Lemurs. Dwarf and Mouse Lemurs. Wooly Lemurs. Extinct Families - Sloth Lemurs and Baboon Lemurs. 3. The Haplorhines Squirrel Monkeys and Capuchin Monkeys. Pigmy Marmosets, Marmosets and Tamarins. Old World Monkeys. Lesser Apes. Chimpanzee, Gorilla, Orangutan. Humans. Tarsiers. Baboons. Drills. Macaques. Mangabey Monkeys. Vervet Monkeys. Marmosets. Capuchins. True Spider Monkeys. Guenon Monkeys. Patas Monkeys. 4. Primate Diet and Nutrition Nourishment Requirements of Primates. What do primates eat? Adapting physical characteristics to Different Diets. 5. Primate Health and Physical Condition Exercise. Determining Health or Condition. Common Illnesses. Injuries on Primates. Disease and Primate Conservation. First Aid on Humans Exposed to NHP Injuries or Body Fluids. 6. Primate Behaviour in the Wild Socialisation. Social Groups. Primates living in groups. Environment. Communication. Behaviours. 7. Psychological Wellbeing in Primates in Captivity Recognising Abnormal Behaviour. Primate for Pets. Psychological Health of Primates in Captivity. Social Deprivation and Primates. Abnormal Behaviour in Captivity. Looking For Food. Managing Boredom. Learning and Training Primates. Handling Primates. Sedation. 8. Breeding programmes and optimum resources needed for this Primate Groups. Fertility and Reproduction. Control of Reproduction. Breeding and Conceiving. Pregnancy and Birth. 9. Conservation in the wild Conservation Status of Primates. Primates that are threatened by extinction. Most endangered primates. Rehabilitation Programmes. 10. Managing primates in Captivity Primates in captivity. Designing Enclosures. Managing Enclosures. Safe Transportation of Primates. Ethics of Keeping Primates in Captivity. Risks Working With Primates. COURSE AIMS To understand the taxonomy, biology and management of primate animals both in captivity and the wild. Discuss the nature and scope of our knowledge of primate animals. Describe a variety of different species from the suborder Strepsirhini. Describe a variety of different species from the suborder Haplorhini. Explain the dietary requirements for different primates. Explain the management of the physical wellbeing of primates. Explain the psychology of primates and their natural behaviour. Explain the management of the psychological wellbeing of primates in captivity. Explain breeding programmes for managing the conservation of primates. Explain the conservation of a range of primates. Explain the management of primates in captivity. SCOPE OF PRIMATES Primates include humans, apes, monkeys, lemurs and other related animals. Primate taxonomic classification is being reviewed constantly, as in the other living organisms’ kingdoms, so the classification we present here is one of the accepted classifications at the moment. Primates are classified into Strepsirhini and Haplorhini primates, differentiated by the maintenance of the rhinarium in the former or its disappearance in the “higher” primates. The rhinarium is the moist, hairless skin area around the nose present in many mammals (like dogs and cats). Primates typically have a more complex social structure and are usually monogamous. All primates are divided into two broad groups; the strepsirhines and the haplorhimes. The Strepsirhini (“bent nose” in Greek) or Prosimians include Lemurs and Lorises from Madagascar mainly, but some also occur in Africa, Asia and Malay Archipelago. Haplorhini primates (“simple nose”) are the Tarsiers and Simian Primates. They may be split into either six, seven or eight families. These families are: Tarsidae (e.g. Tarsiers); Cebidae (e.g. Night Monkey, Squirrel Monkey); Atelidae (Spider Monkeys); Callitrichidae (e.g. Marmoset, Tamarin); Cercopithecidae (e.g. Baboon and Colobises); Hylobatidae (e.g. Gibbon); Pongidae (e.g. Gorilla); Hominidae (Human). HOW THE COURSE WORKS You can start the course at any time. It is studied by distance learning, so you can study in the comfort of your own home. But this doesn't mean you are all alone in your studies. Our highly qualified and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way. If you have any questions at all, they are always happy to help. Each lesson includes set tasks, and is completed with an assignment which the student submits to their course tutor. The tutor will mark the assignment and return this to the student with comments and suggestions for further reading. WHAT SETS ACS APART? At ACS we provide you with more than just a set of course notes. Your 'learning package' includes: Course notes. Self-assessment quizzes. Assignment feedback. You can interact one on one with a professional tutor with decades of experience - just email, phone or log on to chat to connect with them. Depending upon your course, your studies may involve independent research, interviews, practical exercises, assessments, Problem Based Learning projects, and more. WHAT DO OUR STUDENTS SAY? "Yes [the course was a valuable learning experience]. It is providing me with new insights and development beyond my former knowledge of this subject. It also provides me with a proper basic knowledge to pursue my dreams in this career path." Arnold Taen, Netherlands - Diploma in Animal Management WHAT NEXT? Register to Study today - Go to the panel towards the top right=hand side of this page - "It's Easy to Enrol" or If you have any questions, use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE to contact a tutor - they will be more than happy to help you with any queries or questions on our courses.