The first primates were small arboreal mammals. Their dental structure suggests that they descended from insectivores in the late Cretaceous. Purgatorius unio, found in Montana, is considered to be the oldest primate.
Primates have been present for 65 million years and are defined by characteristics such as: limber shoulder joints, dexterous hands for hanging on branches and holding food, sensitive fingers with nails not claws, stereoscopic vision, excellent eye hand coordination, and single births with extensive post natal care.
Created on ... septembre 15, 2005 by Pierre Ratcliffe