Primates are the third largest group of mammals with over 300 species.  The only mammal groups that are larger are rodents and bats.  Primates include humans and non-human species.    

While humans inhabit every continent, the majority of non-human primates live in tropical or sub-tropical areas of Central and South America, Asia, and Africa.  Non-human primates are extremely diverse in their size, appearance, and characteristics.  

Non-human primates are divided into the groups listed below with the animals you will find in each group when you visit Rolling Hills Zoo:

Prosimians (Ring-tailed lemur, black-and-white ruffed lemur)
Old World Monkey (Colobus monkey)
New World Monkey (Cotton-top tamarin)
Great Apes (Chimpanzees)

Despite their differences, these primates have many similarities. They have larger brains than other mammal species.  They have excellent eyesight thanks to their front-facing eyes and unlike other mammals, rely more on their vision than their sense of smell.  Most primates have opposable thumbs and nails rather than claws.  And most non-human primates spend at least part of their life in trees.