Primates are a diverse group of mammals that includes lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, monkeys, apes, and humans. They are genetically similar because they evolved from a common ancestor over the last 60 million years. Here are some common features of primates:

• Relatively large, complex brain
• Forward-facing eyes with overlapping fields of view that allow depth perception
• Eye sockets with a ring or cup of bone surrounding and supporting the eyes
• Grasping hands with long fingers to curl around objects
• Opposable thumbs and/or big toes (able to touch the other digits on the same hand or foot)
• Nails instead of claws
• Relatively long gestation periods and slower rates of development than other similarly sized mammals
• Longer overall lifespans than many similarly-sized species

Primates are among the most intelligent animals and non-human primates are recorded to use tools. They are also social animals, forming pairs or family groups, uni-male harems, and multi-male/multi-female groups. Primates have slower rates of development than other similarly sized mammals, reach maturity later, and have longer lifespans.

There are over 500 species of primates, making them the third most diverse order of mammals, after rodents and bats. Most primates live in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Central America, and South America.