Learning About Primates’ ‘Toys’

Visitors to the Los Angeles Zoo can learn about monkeys, apes and other primates in “Presents for Primates” programs held each Saturday this month, except Christmas Day.

Children and adults will learn about the “toys” used by zoo staff members to keep the animals bright and busy, as well as about the unusual foods that make up the primates’ diets.

For information on this and other programs at the zoo, call (213) 666-4090.

ORNITHOLOGY

* The exotic birds of Indonesia will be featured in “Wild Indonesia: Biak to Bali,” a program presented by Herb and Katherine Williams at the Whittier Audubon Society meeting on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Whittier Community Center. Call (310) 699-2021.

* Noted wildlife photographer B. (Moose) Peterson will discuss California’s wildlife and vanishing habitats at the Los Angeles Audubon Society meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Plummer Park. Call (213) 876-0202.

REPTILES

* James Cornett will discuss “Giant Reptiles of the Amazon Basin” in a natural science lecture at the Palm Springs Desert Museum on Friday at 1:30 p.m. in the Annenberg Theater. Call (619) 325-7186.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

* Children 4 and older can make their own animal track “fossils” in clay in workshops at the Kidspace Museum in Pasadena on Wednesday at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Call (818) 449-9144.

BOTANY

* Members of the California Native Plant Society Los Angeles/Santa Monica Mountains Chapter will present a slide program on native flora and 1993 botanical adventures at the chapter meeting tonight at 7:30 in the Brentwood Magnet School Auditorium. Call (213) 933-8993.

MARINE SCIENCE

* “Discovery Center,” a workshop in the Science at the Seashore series at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, offers children and adults opportunities to view live marine animals, handle tide pool creatures and examine marine artifacts Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Call (310) 548-7562.