Metazoica

 These are the only pentadactyls that developed spines of one kind or another on their body. These spines may be like mere whisker material that grew on the body, or may be thick, but they are always sharp and used for self-defense. Most species in the Echilemuridae are large, lazy, ground-dwelling species. Nothing like their closest relatives, the Chirosapidae.  There are a few tree-dwelling species in this family, and they can be characterized by having sparse, or small patches of spines. Whereas the large ground-dwelling species have more and larger patches of spines. In some cases, even covering the entire body. Though the species in the subfamily Lipoechininae, which includes Lipoechinus and Senzispina , are also large lemurs and their spines more resemble whiskers. They are also faster runners than other large members of this family. These animals range in size from the tiny, nectar-eating honey lemurs ( Setaglossus ) to the large Pachysetus lemur that inhabits most of...

 The family Chirosapidae is a highly varied family of lemurs. These are the original lemurs that evolved in the Metazoic. They branched off the modern family Galagidae, of which several species in the Metazoic family retain many characteristics. Their homeland is Africa, and more than 50% of the animals in this family still live there in the Metazoic. Most species are tree dwellers, as would be expected of any lemurs. But several species can inhabit ground levels, and even the ocean. They range in size from the tiny dwarf bushbabies ( Galaguella ) to the 20-foot long Chirosapus robustus . But most species are small and light animals. These animals differ from other lemur families, like the closely-related Pileatidae, by a lack of a sagittal crest, and the forelegs are considerably shorter than the rear legs. Most species in this family are diurnal, with the exception of the Sciurocheirinae, the bushbabies. The majority of the bushbabies are nocturnal. This is one trait they carried...

 This is the largest family of pentadactyls. The family Pileatidae is characterized by the legs and arms all being of the same length, a throat pouch, and usually a horse-like mane. This is a highly varied group of lemurs, they range in size from the very tiny genus Sylpha , which is small enough to build their nests in bamboo stalks, to the genus Toru , which stands as tall as a 3-storey building. The diet also greatly varies. The majority of species feed on leaves, grass, fruits, nuts, berries, occasionally insects and small vertebrates. But one group, the Tyrannocypikinae, are almost completely carnivorous, feeding on large mammals, birds and bats. They feed on meat far more than any other pentadactyls, whether they kill the prey themselves, or scavenge. This group of lemurs somewhat parallels the modern family Lemuridae, in that all their limbs are the same length, and the tail of most species is long and held upward. Rather like a cat's tail. The tail may be tipped by a large ...

 I realize this is late. I was so excited going to the bird expo last weekend, this blog slipped my mind. But I am back now. The family Pinnepitheciidae is the earliest branch of completely aquatic pentadactyls. They arose from the family Promonsamiidae, particularly from the genus Hydrabilis , which is also the precursor of Thaladapis . These sea monkeys differ from the Delphinadapids by having larger, more rounded flippers, and a relatively shorter, spade-shaped tail. But like all other aquatic pentadactyls, these animals are just as agile in the water as other lemurs are in the trees. But unlike such aquatic lemurs as the Promonsamiids, these lemurs are almost entirely aquatic, only coming ashore on the beach to sleep and rear young. They breed in colonies, like sea lions. Their movement is not like that of sea lions, but more like sea turtles. They push themselves over the sand using all four flippers. The fur is short, but thick, like a bear's coat. All species are mostly acti...

 This is a group of specialized lemurs. They are closely related to such species as Testudicodas in the family Promonsamiidae. Unlike Testudicodas , these lemurs do not cling to branches via their tails. But they almost completely lack fleshy fingers that other pentadactyls possess. Instead, the fingers all stiffen at the first finger joint, and is fused into a long, curved claw-like appendage. These claws are long, powerful and sharp, and serve as both clinging devices for the trees and branches, as well as weapons of self defense. They did, however, sacrifice the ability to grasp small branches the same way other pentadactyls (and historically primates) can. These lemurs also share a trait with modern polar bears. They have fur that is hollow, and each strand is tube-shaped. This allows glowing bacteria to colonize these hollows. Specifically, bacteria that glows in the dark. So, these lemurs have the ability to glow, which is used to confuse predators. The glowing action occurs...

 I remember a few years ago, someone (who I still respect very highly), told me it was impossible for iridescence to exist in mammals. Since that time, I've discovered that some mammals can indeed have iridescent fur. Thanks to this article I found, I found out it's indeed possible. Notice the pic, of a vlei rat ( Otomys ) is shimmering colors of green, purple and blue.  That's not the only one. There are MANY mammals that have such a feature. Here's a few more... Akhal-teke horse. Golden mole. Polar bear. And there are also several species of mammals that glow... Tube-nosed bat. Flying squirrel. Platypus. Springhaas . In the Metazoic, I just simply take this to a little more extreme. With creatures like Cercolampis ( Pentadactyls, Pileatidae ). They sparkle like glitter, which allows them to hide from overhead predators, like predatory pteropods and eagles. To a watching predatory bat, or an eagle, the sparks of light when Cercolampis moves through the trees, resemb...