Primate Behavior and Human Evolution

Are the Brains of Apes "Ready" For Language? (http://www.rlc.dcccd.edu/MATHSCI/anth/P101/COGNITIO/apelang.htm) Explore the question, "Are apes ready for language?" through information on language and the brain, an article summary, and special sections for instructors and students.

Machiavellian Monkeys & Shakespearean Apes: The Question of Primate Language (http://www.fonz.org/zoogoer/zg1995/primate_language.htm) Read an extensive exploration of animals and the ability to speak. Learn about anatomical differences, cognitive similarities, and the many attempts humans have made to communicate with our ape counterparts.

Chimpanzee Hunting Behavior and Human Evolution (http://www.sigmaxi.org/amsci/articles/95articles/Stanford-full.html) View a short article connecting chimpanzee hunting behavior and human evolution, with such topics as "Why Hunt?" "Predator and Prey," and "Early Hominid Behavior."

Jane Goodall Profile (http://www.sciam.com/1097issue/1097profile.html) Read this Scientific American profile on the famous Jane Goodall, and gain information on her past, research, and personality.

Dian Fossey (http://www.netsrq.com/~dbois/fossey.html) Read this biography of Dian Fossey, a scientist whose studies helped to dispel many myths about gorillas' violent and aggressive nature.

Monkeys Provide Models of Child Abuse (http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc98/5_23_98/fob1.htm) View this Science News Online article concerning the study of monkeys and child abuse. Some monkeys, when put through such real life human stressors as low social status and environmental change, turned to physically abusing their offspring.

Hylobatidae: Gibbons and Siamangs (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/chordata/mammalia/primates/hylobatidae.html) Learn about the genus hylobatidae, and its eleven species, gaining such information as the regions the species inhabit and the dental formulae for the species.

Pongo Pygmaeus: Orangutan (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/pongo/p._pygmaeus) Learn about the Orangutan, its geographical range, natural history, reproduction, behavior, habitat, and conservation.

Pan Troglodytes: Chimpanzee (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/pan/p._troglodytes) Learn about the Chimpanzee, its geographical range, natural history, reproduction, behavior, habitat, and conservation.

Pan Paniscus: Bonobo or Pygmy Chimpanzee (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/pan/p._paniscus) Learn about the Bonobo, its geographical range, natural history, reproduction, behavior, habitat, and conservation.

Bonobo Sex and Society (http://songweaver.com/info/bonobos.html) Read this Scientific American article claiming that the sexual behavior of the Bonobo, a close human relative, challenges the idea of male supremacy in human evolution.

Chimpanzee and Great Ape Language Resources (http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Anthropology/apelang.html) Use this site to link to online chimp and ape language resources, including websites, books and full texts, and newsgroups and bulletin boards.

Do Apes Use Language? (http://whyfiles.org/058language/ape_talk.html) Read this short article about the question of whether or not apes use language to communicate.