by Robert Hedges. (c)
Our primate family tree.
- During the Eocene period, 45 million years ago, the
primates looked a bit different. The colorful tree climber was
the size of a mouse. This lemur-like creature eventually grew to
the size of a squirrel, and trotted about under the dinosaur's
indifferent feet. The lemur branched off the primate tree about
40 million years ago.
- the gibbons split off next at ___ million years
- the orangutan evolved off next at ____ million years
- the gorilla diverged next at ___ million years. He can be
quite peaceful before discovering that humans kill and maime. He
is undersexed because he is so physically powerful.
- the chimpanzee branched next at about 5 M years.
He seeks to look in the eyes of the human to see what manner of creature he
is. Incidentally, chimps seem hairy because their hair is coarse.
Humans have as many hair follicles as chimps.
- The bononobo is also called the pigmy chimp. It looks
surprisingly different when placed side by side with the common
chimp. These chimps practice indiscriminate sexual contact.
Our more human primate family tree.
Go back to primates.
Go back to the main index
Last modified: September 2002
