Primaatteja

Primaatteja is a Finnish term referring to primates, an order of mammals that includes lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes. Primates are characterized by a number of distinct traits, though not all are present in every species. These include large relative brain size, forward-facing eyes which provide stereoscopic vision, and grasping hands and feet, often with opposable thumbs or big toes. Their reliance on vision over smell is another common characteristic, reflected in their relatively small snouts.

The primate order is broadly divided into two suborders: Strepsirrhini and Haplorhini. Strepsirrhini, or wet-nosed primates, include lemurs and lorises, which generally retain more primitive features. Haplorhini, or dry-nosed primates, encompass tarsiers, monkeys, and apes. Monkeys are further divided into New World monkeys (Platyrrhini) and Old World monkeys (Catarrhini). Apes, belonging to the superfamily Hominoidea, include gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans.

Primates inhabit a wide range of environments across the globe, predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Their diets vary significantly, with some being primarily frugivorous (fruit-eaters), folivorous (leaf-eaters), insectivorous (insect-eaters), or omnivorous. Many primate species are highly social, living in complex groups with intricate communication systems. Conservation is a significant concern for many primate populations due to habitat loss, poaching, and other human-induced threats.