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Description
A small ref/doodle sheet showing some of the range of movement of Altamaran arms.

Something that I've never really bothered to mention, but is probably sort of relevant, is that the lower pair of arms is actually situated further back on the body than the front pair... so the lower arms actually rest behind the upper pair when they're laid flat, rather than stacking on top of each other.

The upper set of arms has pretty much the same range of movement as human arms do, with a degree more flexibility.
However the lower set is restricted somewhat in it's upward movement by the upper set, and so while they can be lifted into the air quite high (aided by pulling back the upper shoulders) it's not a comfortable action. If their upper hands are full, an Altamaran might do mundane actions like reach for things or fix their hair with the lower hands, but their default reflex is to use the upper hands for anything higher than face level.

When walking bipedally the arms fall more or less next to each other on each side and move with momentum as human arms would. When climbing however they show off their full range of movement and usefulness.
Neither set of arms is specifically specialised for either climbing or manipulating, as the arboreal environment they evolved in meant that different situations could require either pair for climbing/supporting weight or (for example) tool use.

As a side note, Altamarans use their hands/arms a lot in expressing themselves. Very rarely would you see one standing/sitting with all four arms just held down... As a species they are constantly gesticulating, fidgeting, carrying things, using pockets, touching things (that they probably shouldn't), touching people (that they also probably shouldn't XD), and around one another probably linking arms or holding hands.

They also haven't kicked their climbing instincts yet, so unless there are clear etiquette rules you can expect them to get all up on tables, shelves and whatever else is off the ground and can take their weight. Also if you really startle one there's a good chance they'll leap up onto the highest thing around.

species © me.

Description
A small ref/doodle sheet showing some of the range of movement of Altamaran arms.

Something that I've never really bothered to mention, but is probably sort of relevant, is that the lower pair of arms is actually situated further back on the body than the front pair... so the lower arms actually rest behind the upper pair when they're laid flat, rather than stacking on top of each other.

The upper set of arms has pretty much the same range of movement as human arms do, with a degree more flexibility.
However the lower set is restricted somewhat in it's upward movement by the upper set, and so while they can be lifted into the air quite high (aided by pulling back the upper shoulders) it's not a comfortable action. If their upper hands are full, an Altamaran might do mundane actions like reach for things or fix their hair with the lower hands, but their default reflex is to use the upper hands for anything higher than face level.

When walking bipedally the arms fall more or less next to each other on each side and move with momentum as human arms would. When climbing however they show off their full range of movement and usefulness.
Neither set of arms is specifically specialised for either climbing or manipulating, as the arboreal environment they evolved in meant that different situations could require either pair for climbing/supporting weight or (for example) tool use.

As a side note, Altamarans use their hands/arms a lot in expressing themselves. Very rarely would you see one standing/sitting with all four arms just held down... As a species they are constantly gesticulating, fidgeting, carrying things, using pockets, touching things (that they probably shouldn't), touching people (that they also probably shouldn't XD), and around one another probably linking arms or holding hands.

They also haven't kicked their climbing instincts yet, so unless there are clear etiquette rules you can expect them to get all up on tables, shelves and whatever else is off the ground and can take their weight. Also if you really startle one there's a good chance they'll leap up onto the highest thing around.

species © me.