Family of the Week: The Metazoic Camels
These are not true camels, but in fact are descended from deer. However, they have developed camel-like feet, soft and fleshy instead of hard and hooved. The head is rather camel-like, but no species in this family has a hump. The fur is soft and lies flat. The neck is long and flexible. The ears are small, the eyes are large, the tail is completely absent. The body is short and round. All species are vegetarians, feeding mostly on grass, but also on leaves. Some of the larger species specialize in eating leaves from the higher tree branches. These animals are all rather large and bulky, with the exception of a few species. The larger species are not really made for fast running, though they prefer to run away from danger. But they use their bulk as a form of defense. They live in small herds, though Neantilopa lives in the largest herds of all. But the larger species gather in smaller herds or live in couples. The hearing and eyesight is good in all species, and is the first thing used to detect predators. The sense of smell is no better than ours is.
The largest species is Magnicamelus, with a height of about 45 feet. This animal lives in couples. They feed on the higher leaves of certain trees. The tongue is long and flexible and is often all that is used to grasp the leaves. The trees they feed from are covered with sharp spikes and it seems the only way these camels can eat is to grab clumps of leaves with their tongue. The famale usually mates only once a year, and stays with the same bull for life. A single calf is born and stays with both parents who cooperate in raising the calf for as long as 2 years. Calves usually start off eating solid foods by feeding on grass or off small shrubs. These camels need to drink daily as well. Unlike giraffes, these animals have very flexible necks, and they do not struggle as much to take a drink. The neck is equally as long as either of the forelegs, and allows this animal to easily reach the water line without having to spread their legs way out.
The most unusual species in this family is Tripulliceros. This is the only camel that has horns on top of the head. The horns are small, flat and clover-shaped. These animals use their tiny horns to attract mates and to ward off rivals. They are never used for defense against predators. This species is as tall as a giraffe, but the backline is much more even. Like giraffes and Magnicamelus, this species feeds on the leaves of trees. But they live in slightly larger herds. Usually numbering about 5 individuals, led by a dominant male.
The smallest species are in the genus Neantilopa. These are small animals, the largest among them are no taller than 3 feet tall. They are very agile animals, and can run as fast as modern gazelles. They also live in the largest herds, of about 50 individuals, often even associating with several small, true antelope species, such as Myodorcas. They are grass-eaters. But unlike antelope, these animals can digest the tougher stalks and seed pods of grasses. Neantilopa has very large eyes that can see in any direction, and are very hard to approach on the plains. They do not generally bound and jump as gazelles do, but just simply run away from danger. They appear to be all legs, and this enables them to take off at remarkable speeds. They can take off at speeds of about 50 mph. The ears are the largest in the family and they can move in any direction. The hearing is superb and they can detect a predator's footfalls from several yards away, even among the chatter of their own comrades.
For the larger species, predators are rather few. Deinognathids are the worst predators, because to them, size does not deter them. Tyrannopithecines and other carnivorous pentadactyls may also take down these animals. As well as large mongooses, foxes and predatory bats. Some of the smaller species, like Neantilopa, may also be taken by large snakes, like the diamond anaconda.
The largest species is Magnicamelus, with a height of about 45 feet. This animal lives in couples. They feed on the higher leaves of certain trees. The tongue is long and flexible and is often all that is used to grasp the leaves. The trees they feed from are covered with sharp spikes and it seems the only way these camels can eat is to grab clumps of leaves with their tongue. The famale usually mates only once a year, and stays with the same bull for life. A single calf is born and stays with both parents who cooperate in raising the calf for as long as 2 years. Calves usually start off eating solid foods by feeding on grass or off small shrubs. These camels need to drink daily as well. Unlike giraffes, these animals have very flexible necks, and they do not struggle as much to take a drink. The neck is equally as long as either of the forelegs, and allows this animal to easily reach the water line without having to spread their legs way out.
The most unusual species in this family is Tripulliceros. This is the only camel that has horns on top of the head. The horns are small, flat and clover-shaped. These animals use their tiny horns to attract mates and to ward off rivals. They are never used for defense against predators. This species is as tall as a giraffe, but the backline is much more even. Like giraffes and Magnicamelus, this species feeds on the leaves of trees. But they live in slightly larger herds. Usually numbering about 5 individuals, led by a dominant male.
The smallest species are in the genus Neantilopa. These are small animals, the largest among them are no taller than 3 feet tall. They are very agile animals, and can run as fast as modern gazelles. They also live in the largest herds, of about 50 individuals, often even associating with several small, true antelope species, such as Myodorcas. They are grass-eaters. But unlike antelope, these animals can digest the tougher stalks and seed pods of grasses. Neantilopa has very large eyes that can see in any direction, and are very hard to approach on the plains. They do not generally bound and jump as gazelles do, but just simply run away from danger. They appear to be all legs, and this enables them to take off at remarkable speeds. They can take off at speeds of about 50 mph. The ears are the largest in the family and they can move in any direction. The hearing is superb and they can detect a predator's footfalls from several yards away, even among the chatter of their own comrades.
For the larger species, predators are rather few. Deinognathids are the worst predators, because to them, size does not deter them. Tyrannopithecines and other carnivorous pentadactyls may also take down these animals. As well as large mongooses, foxes and predatory bats. Some of the smaller species, like Neantilopa, may also be taken by large snakes, like the diamond anaconda.
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