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Definition
Primates are mammals with complex and large brains compared to body size and traits including an enhanced sense of touch, increased reliance on vision, and reduced reliance on sense of smell compared to other mammals. Their sensory systems allow them to perceive and interpret the world around them, and include vision (sight), olfaction (smell), gustation (taste), audition (hearing), and tactile systems (touch). Each of these sensory modalities contain adaptations that help primates to survive in a range of habitats including arboreal environments. Through the information provided by their sensory systems, primates can find food, avoid predators, and effectively perceive and interact with other individuals of their species.
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Bolt, L.M. (2020). Primate Sensory Systems. In: Vonk, J., Shackelford, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1864-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_1864-1
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