ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Primate cognition

Primates are a group of animals that includes monkeys, apes, and humans. These animals have big brains that help them think, remember things, and solve problems. Primate cognition is the study of how these animals think and learn.

Just like how you use your brain to figure things out, primates use their brains too. They can learn new things by watching others, remembering past experiences, and trying things out. For example, a monkey might learn how to crack open a nut by watching another monkey do it.

Primates can also problem-solve, which means they can figure out how to do something when faced with a challenge. For example, an ape might use a stick to reach a piece of fruit that is out of reach.

Primates can also communicate with each other. They might use sounds, facial expressions, or body language to convey a message. For example, a monkey might make a noise to alert other monkeys of danger.

Scientists study primate cognition to learn more about how our own brains work. This helps us understand things like memory, language, and problem-solving. Plus, it's just fascinating to learn about these amazing animals!