I have worked at a zoo and a science center educating the public about animals. The one thing I really dislike is when the public mistakes one animal for another animal.
The prosimians, made up of lemurs and similar animals, are the more primitive of the primate group. They have lower intelligence. They resemble other mammal groups by having whiskers and longer noses. The prosimians split off from the evolutionary line leading to humans relatively early.
There are some similarities between apes and monkey. Monkeys and apes are called the "higher primates." They vary in size, geographical range and behavior, but they all have flat faces, small ears and relatively large, complex brains.
There are some differences between apes and monkeys. The easiest way to distinguish monkeys from the apes is to look for a tail. Most monkey species have tails, but no apes have tails. Monkeys are much more like other mammals than apes and humans are. For example, most monkeys cannot swing from branch to branch, as apes and humans can, because their shoulder bones have a different structure. Instead, monkeys run along the tops of branches. Their skeletal structure is similar to a cat, dog or other four-footed animal, and they move in the same sort of way. On the evolutionary line leading to humans, monkeys split off long before apes did. Monkey and human have 93% identical DNA. While apes and humans have 99% identical DNA. Some people would say that Chase and apes match 100%.
Another example of mistaken identity is Frogs and Toads...
The prosimians, made up of lemurs and similar animals, are the more primitive of the primate group. They have lower intelligence. They resemble other mammal groups by having whiskers and longer noses. The prosimians split off from the evolutionary line leading to humans relatively early.
There are some similarities between apes and monkey. Monkeys and apes are called the "higher primates." They vary in size, geographical range and behavior, but they all have flat faces, small ears and relatively large, complex brains.
There are some differences between apes and monkeys. The easiest way to distinguish monkeys from the apes is to look for a tail. Most monkey species have tails, but no apes have tails. Monkeys are much more like other mammals than apes and humans are. For example, most monkeys cannot swing from branch to branch, as apes and humans can, because their shoulder bones have a different structure. Instead, monkeys run along the tops of branches. Their skeletal structure is similar to a cat, dog or other four-footed animal, and they move in the same sort of way. On the evolutionary line leading to humans, monkeys split off long before apes did. Monkey and human have 93% identical DNA. While apes and humans have 99% identical DNA. Some people would say that Chase and apes match 100%.
Another example of mistaken identity is Frogs and Toads...
Toads have warts. They have dry skin. They live mainly on land. Toads are short and stocky. They mainly walk. Toads lay their eggs in a long chain. Also, toads are poisonous.
Frogs have wet, smooth, and slimy skin. They live mainly in the water. They have 2 bulging eyes. They have strong, long, webbed feet that have been adapted for swimming and leaping. Frogs tend to lay their eggs in a cluster.
You may wonder why this important. What if someone called you the wrong name, race, origin, or whatever. Most people, for some reason or another, are going to get offended. That’s why it is important to me. If you go to a zoo, read the sign and don’t assume. The media, especially television shows and commercials are not reliable information, unless it is a documentary. Understanding things are important, especially things like WHO WE ARE and WHERE WE LIVE!
Enjoy the day...
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