Arboreal theory

The Arboreal theory claims that primates became primates by adapting to arboreal life.

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Primates are thought to have developed several of their traits and habits initially while living in trees. One key component to this is the fact that primates relied on sight over the sense of smell. They were able to develop a keen sense of depth perception which can be attributed to the constant leaping that was necessary to move about the trees. Primates also developed hands and feet that were capable of grasping. This is also a result of arboreal life which required a great deal of crawling along branches. Feet that were able to grasp onto branches were also necessary as primates reached out for various types of food that were growing in the trees which they inhabited. These early primates were likely to have diets that consisted of foods that were available in the trees such as flowers, fruits, berries, gums, leaves, and insects. Eventually, a great deal of insects became present and primates were thought to shift their diets primarily towards an insect diet in the early Cenozoic era.