Primate Grasp

Objective:

Students become acquainted with the differences in grasping power of the hands and feet of various primates. This exercise is also an introduction to the Primate Locomotion Field Study, and will be useful for students to observe primate locomotion at a trip to the zoo or through the use of videotape.

Materials:

1. one toilet paper or paper towel role for each student
2. one hammer, a piece of scrap wood, and a few nails for each student

Procedure:

1. Using the drawings above, instruct students to hold a toilet paperor paper towel role according to each primate listed.

2. Have students drive nails in a piece of scrap wood by holding the hammer in the same position shown pictured above. Which grasp was the easiest and the hardest to drive a nail? Why? What advantage do different types of hands have in a forest setting?