Final answer:
An individual nonhuman primate living in a large group is less likely to be preyed upon due to the safety in numbers; they can detect and ward off predators better and share responsibilities among the group members.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding nonhuman primates and their predators, an individual living in a large group may be less likely to suffer from predation compared to solitary individuals. This is because large groups may provide a measure of safety in numbers. For example, primates such as gorillas and chimpanzees form family groups, which may include a dominant male and several females and offspring. These groups can provide protection for the members, especially the young, which are more vulnerable to predators. A large group can collectively detect predators faster, discourage predators through group defense strategies, and by sharing responsibilities such as foraging and watching for predators, each individual can better focus on these tasks.
Adaptations to Predation
Both predators and prey have evolved adaptations such as camouflage to improve their chances of survival. This evolutionary arms race between predator and prey can lead to a variety of defensive strategies, including the formation of large social groups in prey species.
Humans, as social animals, evolved in close-knit groups where information and mutual support were crucial for survival. Nonhuman primates, with their complex behaviors and social structures, demonstrate similar strategies. They form social groups that can vary widely in size, from pairs to hundreds of members, to protect themselves and their offspring from predators and to increase their survival chances through collaborative efforts such as cooperative hunting or territorial defense.