Prof Primate's Zoo Observation Guide

This Guide was developed for ‘An Ape’s Guide to Human Language,’ first taught by Dr Suzy J Styles in S1 2017-18 at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The first public version was developed from the class activity guide in 2018. Dear Apes, Your goal is to conduct an observation of primates at your local Zoo, and take detailed notes about the way they function in their environment, for a short period of time. After the observation session, use your notes to describe biological and social adaptations of primates in our lineage, and consider how these adaptations might be related to human evolution, perhaps even including the emergence of language! Our main topic for this activity is hands, handedness and tool use. Your target is to observe Chimpanzees doing an activity that requires the use of their hands – preferably while using tools, or manipulating objects (e.g., ‘fishing’ in a ‘termite mound’, throwing, catching etc.). However, as zoo schedules can vary from day-to-day, and primate behaviour is also somewhat variable, it might not be possible to observe hand use or tool use. There are a number of alternative observations listed on the following pages, depending on what kind of behaviours you are able to see on the day of your visit. At the end of the Guide is a description of how to summarize your observations into a report. This report can be used as an assignment in a class on evolution, anatomy or biology, or as a general class project. Check with your instructors to find out if you can use it in your class. You can also conduct an observation just for fun! We can learn a lot about our own bodies and what kind of environment it developed in from observing the way other primates move, eat, and interact in the world. Enjoy your Observations! Sincerely, Prof Primate