Secrets of Survival | Primates

Monkey see, monkey do. From baboons facing down leopards, to lemurs exploiting a jungle pharmacy or rhesus macaques charming their way to an easy life, discover the survival strategies used by primates, often in the most unexpected places.

In southern India, monsoon rains bring on jackfruit season, but macaques have a difficult time identifying ripe fruit. So they follow a "friend" who not-so-willingly leads them to the good stuff.

Like many primates, lemurs are prone to ticks and other parasites. In addition to grooming each other, this group has developed a more ingenious means of keeping pests at bay: self-medication.

Silverback mountain gorillas have a fearsome reputation with aggression that helps maintain family order. However, not everyone shows this gorilla troop leader the respect he deserves.