1. Opposable Thumbs

2. What kinds of species have opposable thumbs?
Question 1: How would you define an opposable thumb?
A digit to help grasp things, an adaptation that helps primates to swing on branches and use tools
Question 2: Have you heard of any of these species before? If so, what do you already know about them? How have you seen them using their opposable thumbs?
Gorilla
Chimpanzee

3. What can primates accomplish with opposable thumbs?
Possible answers: Using tools, eating, grasping branches, carrying young
Video: Western chimpanzees exhibiting 'tool use’
Chimps make great use of their thumbs!

4. What other species have opposable thumbs?
Indri
Indri
A primate from Madagascar that uses its thumbs for grasping branches. Baby indri’s find thumbs especially useful for holding on to their mothers.
Bonobo
Bonobos are from the Congo in Africa and are considered the closest relatives to humans (along with chimpanzees). They use their thumbs for building nests in trees to sleep in.
White-handed gibbon
White-handed gibbons are one of the most agile species and can swiftly move through trees by swinging from branch to branch. Their thumbs can help secure their grip.
White-handed gibbon
Bonobo hand

5. Do YOU think it’s useful to have opposable thumbs?
Let’s find out!