Looking for lessons that build critical thinking without adding prep time? This lesson helps students practice evidence-based reasoning. The focus is on how students think—not on getting the right answer—making it easier to assess reasoning, reduce answer-chasing, and support meaningful discussion.
Fun Fact: Their scientific name is composed of two words: Sapajus, a Latinized version of the word ‘monkey’ from the native Tupi language, and flavius, meaning ‘yellow’ or ‘golden’ in Latin. In Ancient Rome, ‘flavius’ was used to refer to people with blond hair and was a common family name.
Blond capuchins (Sapajus flavius) are found exclusively in a handful of small, isolated populations along Brazil's Atlantic coast. They are losing habitat to coastal development, cattle ranching, and sugar cane farming; their habitats are severely fragmented. Endangered.
The study of conservation comes with its own language. From organizations assessing species’ risks to the scientific teams supplying the data behind each Conservation Status, it can feel like an alphabet soup of abbreviations. This lesson untangles these codes and explains why they matter.
Fun Fact: Like many leaf-eating primates, red colobus are foregut fermenters and have multiple chambers in their stomach to facilitate the breakdown of dense plant material. Their gut structure is similar to that of ruminants like cows, which also have a very dense vegetation diet.
Preuss's red colobus (Piliocolobus preussi). Listed as Critically Endangered.
youtu.be/zikAN6yYDdg
Buffy-headed marmosets (Callithrix flaviceps) are endemic to Brazil. They reside in the mountains of the Atlantic Coastal Forest, where temperatures can fall close to freezing. Their restricted habitat is threatened by expanding agriculture, cattle-ranching, and urbanization. Critically Endangered.
Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) are the largest tree-dwelling mammal. The "gardeners of the forest", they disperse seeds as they travel. Threatened by habitat loss and illegally hunted for bushmeat, and killed to mitigate territorial conflicts with human interests. Critically Endangered.
Sabah grizzled langurs (Presbytis sabana)are from Malaysia. Habitat alterations affect their dietary patterns. Hunting pressures for their meat and "bezoar" stones, believed to have therapeutic properties, are principle causes of their decline. Endangered. Photo: ©Royle Safaris/iNaturalist/CC4.0
Ever wonder what it really means when a species is labeled Endangered? This video breaks down the conservation status categories used around the world. Understanding these terms helps protect species before it’s too late—and reminds us that each of us can make a difference. youtu.be/msoc_6wo97I
Golden-white tassel-ear marmosets (Mico chrysoleucos) reside in the Brazilian state of Amazonas in an area known as the arc of deforestation. They live in highly social family groups that can be as small as 4 members. A good portion of their distribution is in protected areas. Least concern.
Africa’s great apes are our closest living relatives. This videos explores the remarkable world of bonobos, chimpanzees, and gorillas: their intelligence, social relationships, behaviors, communication, and the challenges they face in the wild. youtu.be/E8aj5ZqX4Rg
Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are found in Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. The smallest of the gorilla subspecies. Threatened by poaching, disease, climate change, and habitat degradation. Critically Endangered.
How do Latin America’s monkeys see their world? Some see in 2 colors, some in 3, and some only shades of gray. From the crimson-faced bald uakari to the leaf-selecting precision of howler monkeys, discover how color vision shapes survival, cooperation, and life in the canopy.
youtu.be/zE6fVFeUKAM
The Bornean slow loris' (Nycticebus borneanus) unique face mask includes eye rings that do not extend below the cheekbones, a light stripe that runs between the eyes, and a dark spot of fur atop the head. Threatened by habitat loss, wildfires, and illegal poaching for the pet trade. Vulnerable.
What’s special about macaques? They are perhaps the most maligned monkey species. Why? Because they are clever and adaptable. They are almost as adaptable as humans to a wide variety of climates and living conditions. Here’s an overview of “Macaques—in a nutshell.”
youtu.be/IhgjtTUA4vA
Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata ) have strong family bonds. In the coldest regions of Japan, they famously bathe in thermal springs for warmth, a practice passed down through generations. Widespread and found in many protected areas, populations in some regions may be increasing.
NEPC is quoted in Newsweek about Punch the macaque. It includes this:
“Images of infant primates clinging to plush surrogates are often perceived as cute. In reality, they reflect an infant’s need for constant contact and comfort normally provided by the mother.”
www.newsweek.com/will-punch-t...
Nilgiri langurs (Semnopithecus johnii) are native to the Western Ghats mountain range in southwestern India. Primarily leaf-eaters. Threats include habitat loss, fires, poaching for their body parts for traditional "medicines", and capture for the pet trade. Listed as Vulnerable.
Green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) are native to West Africa, spanning eleven countries across a wide range of habitats. Often incorrectly referred to as "vervets." Humans are their greatest threat as they are hunted as bushmeat, to protect crops, and for the live animal trade.
Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) are native to the dry highlands of northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Called sacred baboons for the ancient Egyptian god Thoth, who manifested as a hamadryas baboon. Extinct in Egypt today. Ethiopian population may be increasing.
This engaging lesson and activity explore what makes rainforests unique, their extraordinary biodiversity, and their vital role in keeping Earth healthy. A captivating video introduces the key concepts, complemented by a downloadable game and interactive lesson modules.
Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) are endemic to Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The males' bulbous noses create an echo chamber that amplifies their calls to impress females and intimidate other males. Threatened by habitat loss and hunting. Endangered.
Join a virtual scavenger hunt across NEPC’s website and explore the world of primate conservation. Guided steps help you gather clues that reveal a mystery quote, making learning both fun and interactive.
neprimateconservancy.org/conservation-exploration/
Ursine howlers (Alouatta arctoidea) are endemic to Venezuela. A deep jaw surrounds an enlarged larynx and hyoid bone that act as a resonating chamber that amplifies their roars. Though targeted for hunting and trapping, they are widely distributed and generally lack major range-wide threats.
NEW VIDEO!
Bonobos share nearly 99% of our DNA — yet their peaceful, cooperative societies challenge many assumptions about primate behavior. Found only in the rainforests of the Congo Basin, they are among the world’s most endangered great apes.
youtu.be/yH0f2VfoN9Y
Southern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) are native to Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. They occur in a variety of habitats. Threatened by ongoing habitat loss, human-wildlife conflicts, hunting, and collection for the pet trade and biomedical research. Endangered.
Our Primates and the Living Earth: Lessons and Activities in Biodiversity and Conservation. neprimateconservancy.org/lessons-and-...
Central American spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) are also called Geoffroy’s spider monkeys and black-handed spider monkeys. They forage over large tracts of forest in search of fruit. Highly susceptible to habitat degradation and often fail to thrive in smaller forest fragments. Endangered.
Semliki red colobus monkeys (Piliocolobus semlikiensis) occur in DR Congo and Uganda. Hunters target them due to their large size. Rather than fleeing, the monkeys observe the activity, increasing their vulnerability. Listed as Vulnerable. Photo: ©Daniel Branch/iNaturalist/CC4.0
