Http www houstonzoo org gorilla habitat cam

Laboratory Procedures for Primate Observations

This lab differs from the others in that it is conducted in the natural setting of the species being

observed. Plan your time well; it takes longer than you think.

You may observe primates at a zoo or human primates on campus (if social distancing is

possible), or use a primate webcam.

Here are some webcams:

• Animal Planet Live (Golden Tamarins): http://www.apl.tv/tamarins.htm

• Highline Wildlife Park (Scotland) (Snow Monkeys):

http://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/webcams/snow-monkey-cam/

• Houston Window Cam (Chimp): http://www.houstonzoo.org/meet-the-animals/chimpanzee-

window-cam/

• Houston Habitat Cam (Gorilla): http://www.houstonzoo.org/gorilla-habitat-cam/

• San Diego Zoo Ape Cam: http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/ape-cam

• San Diego Zoo Baboon Cam: http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/baboon-cam

• Blank Park Zoo List of Live Webcams: https://zoocamerasaroundtheworld.com/live-zoo-

cameras/

• A global collection of ape cams: http://www.mangolinkcam.com/webcams/zoos/apes.html

• More monkeys: http://www.mangolinkcam.com/webcams/zoos/monkeys.html

• Search for others; key words: primate, webcam, cam

Equipment

1) Blank paper (graph paper or lined paper)

2) Clipboard or notebook

3) A watch (preferably digital)

4) All the checklists

Optional Equipment

1) Ruler (particularly if you do not have graph paper) 2) Binoculars or opera glasses (primates may be housed a distance away-for example, on an

island)

3) Camera or video camera 4) Tape recorder

Some general comments before you begin this exercise

1) You are welcome to visit a local zoo, locate an online observation site, or to choose human primates as you subjects (see Appendix A).

a. Plan. b. I have often heard from students who did not know that the primates were not on exhibit

on a particular day or who were rained out.

c. I suggest you call the zoo to determine their schedule. d. If you get to the zoo and there are no primates, look around for those humans!

2) Never, I mean never, go to a locale where the great majority of primates are under the human

http://www.apl.tv/tamarins.htm
http://www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/webcams/snow-monkey-cam/
http://www.houstonzoo.org/meet-the-animals/chimpanzee-window-cam/
http://www.houstonzoo.org/meet-the-animals/chimpanzee-window-cam/
http://www.houstonzoo.org/gorilla-habitat-cam/
http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/ape-cam
http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/baboon-cam
https://zoocamerasaroundtheworld.com/live-zoo-cameras/
https://zoocamerasaroundtheworld.com/live-zoo-cameras/
http://www.mangolinkcam.com/webcams/zoos/apes.html
http://www.mangolinkcam.com/webcams/zoos/monkeys.html
Primate Observations Procedures 2

age of 18 years (i.e.; a school playground).

3) Always explain to human subjects what you are doing, if asked. 4) Try not to be obvious in your observations. You do not have time to habituate your subjects,

so blend into the background

Success in conducting this research depends upon closely following instructions. Careful

organization allows you to assemble your data collection easily, and will make for more feasible

evaluation of your work by your instructor. Read over the entire lab to be sure the instructions

are clear before you begin observing and collecting data.

Part 1: Determine the primate species’ classification, characteristics and geographic

distribution

Begin your primate observations with some general data collection. Complete Part 1, sections A

through D, which are found in the Data Collection handout BEFORE you conduct your

observations. For Sections A, B, C you may have to consult the Internet or a textbook.

Part 2: Systematic Primate Observations

You will choose one species of primate at the field site and apply three different data collection

techniques to that species: ad libitum, instantaneous sampling, and scan sampling. An important

objective is to learn to distinguish which sampling methods are best for which species and/or

situations.

A) Ad libitum sampling (use handout provided) -- 30 minutes (minimum)

In the ad libitum, or 'diary approach," record all behaviors for all animals. You will differentiate

the various types of primates at the field site and record some basic information on their physical

and behavioral features, as well as facts on ecology and distribution from the zoo signs

(supplemented by information from other sources as needed). You will use basic observational

techniques to collect data.

On the "Ad Libitum Sampling" sheet, record your chosen primate species. You will spend one-

half hour collecting data on the study species, keeping a detailed running list of all behaviors

performed by all animals, including references to the time. For example:

From 11:32 to 11:35, the female groomed her own right leg while sitting on a tree

limb. She was sitting and held the leg in her left hand and groomed with her teeth and

left hand. She was solitary in this activity.

At 11:35, she got up, descended from the tree. Quadrupedally walked over to the

male, and sat down one foot away from him. She solicited grooming from the male

by holding out her hand, making the request vocalization and presenting her back to

the male. He ignored her request.

Detail is important. If your animals are inactive, even more specificity is needed. For example,

instead of "The male sat for 10 minutes, and the female stood nearby," you might write

something like: