Author Description

The study of primates in their natural environment is a relatively recent phenomenon. It is only since the 1970s that books, films and scientific papers have presented us with a wealth of fascinating insights into the biology and lifestyle of these mountain- and forest-dwelling relatives of human beings, and this new knowledge has provided the inspiration for Primates of the World. Ken and Rod Preston-Mafham discuss the various species of lemurs, monkeys and apes, their habitats, social systems, breeding habits and rearing of young, methods of communication, feeding preferences and - last but not least - their ambivalent relationship with the human race as, in the late twentieth century, forest habitats are being destroyed and some species are threatened with extinction in the wild. More than 60 species and subspecies of primates are illustrated and a special feature of the book are the superb photographs by Ken Preston-Mafham, who has spent many years travelling and photographing wildlife throughout the world. But despite the rapport that has been developed with many species by dedicated zoologists working in the field, some primates are still too timid to allow good close-up pictures to be taken in the dense forest where they live; in these instances, in order to show specific important details, they have been photographed in captivity. Primates of the World is a fitting addition to the series, since these creatures are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom and therefore have a particular importance and fascination.