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Great Apes and Humans: Hominidae

Great Apes And People

Great apes are hunted by humans for meat and trophies. Some people believe apes' body parts have medicinal or magical powers. When infants are collected for the pet trade, the mothers are often killed.

A CHOREOGRAPHED DISPLAY

A silverback puts on an impressive threat display to protect his family from an intruder. First he hoots, and then throws vegetation around. Standing erect, he beats his chest with cupped hands. He kicks with one leg and shows his sharp canine teeth. Running on all fours, he rips off more vegetation. Standing up again, he slaps the ground with his hands. Finally, he rushes the intruder, stopping just a few feet away to allow the intruder to leave.

Additional topics

Animal Life ResourceMammalsGreat Apes and Humans: Hominidae - Behavior And Reproduction, Great Apes And People, Bornean Orangutan (pongo Pygmaeus): Species Accounts - PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, CONSERVATION STATUS