Family of the Week: The Metazoic Apes
The family Monaciidae is a group of ape-like pentadactyls that inhabits most of the tropical old world. Many resemble modern apes, some are more monkey-like or even lemur-like. They have nude faces, which may radiate many colors, especially in the males. Males are often larger and tougher than the females. They walk on their knuckles, much like modern apes. In most species, the nails are flat, with the exception of the predatory Castosarchus , which is the only fully carnivorous member of this family. Most members of this family are highly social and intelligent creatures. They range in size from the size of an average house cat to an 8-person cargo van. All species are diurnal. Some species retain the tailless status, while others have rather long tails. Not all are carnivorous. Most species are omnivorous, and Monacium is nearly exclusively vegetarian. Though these animals resemble modern apes in almost every way, their closest modern relatives are baboons, like the mandrill. Th...