Welcome to my Metazoic site! This site discusses the existence of the creatures to come along after humans will be extinct. I first became interested in a world after man when I acquired my first copy of Dougal Dixon's After Man: A Zoology of the Future in 1992. However, I unwittingly created creatures that did not exist from the time I was about 8 years old. But it was after I obtained a copy of that book (now a collector's item) that I decided to take these same creatures I created as a child and make them more realistic in an evolutionary sense. Though it may be hard for a lot of us to grasp, humans will soon become extinct. One of the biggest factors of how this will happen is the current overpopulation rate. Which is why I don't contribute to the population. I created this world with little more than mammals fulfilling all ecological niches with the help of some friends. I even gave the era of the age after man a name, I called it the Metazoic, derived from the words for "After-era" (Meta, meaning after, and zoic meaning era). We are now in the Cenozoic era. To view all the animals I have created since I began this project, you can go to the "Meet the Mammals" section of this site. To discuss your own ideas about what you think will happen in the future world, and share your ideas with others, please feel free to leave a comment.
One more thing, some of you may find this site quite offensive, and you have a right to your own opinion. But please respect my right to have an opinion too. I'm not saying there is no GOD, I believe it was HIM who got the ball rolling. But I believe after that, evolution took over. There is so much more evidence of evolution than there is of creation. Even that going on right under our noses. Other than that, enjoy yourself and visit our many links.

Monday, February 26, 2018

Family of the Week: The Clawed Monkeys

The family Cheilapithecidae, consists of mainly old-world monkeys, the distinguishing characteristic of these monkeys is their claw-like fingernails, which are very sharp and curved. In some species, the claws aid in their tree-dwelling habits. In some, the claws are used in combat. All species are omnivorous, feeding on equal amounts of plant and animal matter. Some are more carnivorous, while some other species are more vegetarian. But all species in this family are omnivorous. They are all diurnal species, roosting in tree hollows or under trees or bushes at night.

The largest species are in the genus Carnopapio. The largest species, C. grandis, stands an amazing 9 feet tall. Though they do not hesitate to hunt some small animals, they mostly scavenge the kills of other larger predators. Particularly those of Castosarchus. In fact, Carnopapio always lives in close proximity to Castosarchus territories. Since Castosarchus chiefly feeds on large antelopes, there is always plenty for the Carnopapio monkeys to scavenge. Carnopapio is also bipedal, and walk around in very bird-like fashion. This gives them an advantage over most other scavengers, since they are better able to see over the tall grass of their habitat. Carnopapio lives in large groups, usually 10-15 strong.

The smallest of these monkeys is in the genus Colobonyx. These are tiny monkeys, which spend almost 100% of their time in the trees. At night, they usually find a hollow to huddle in. During the day, they scamper through the trees, able to make 20-foot jumps from one tree to another. They feed primarily on insects and fruits. Their groups are rather large too, usually numbering up to 50 individuals. Females dominate their society. These little monkeys move much like modern monkeys do, using their hind legs to push them off the branches, and gripping the landing spot with their bare pads and long claws. The tail is not prehensile, and usually held upward while the monkeys are in motion. The tail is brightly colored, and most vivid in the higher ranking animals in their group.

The most unusual monkey in this group is in the genus Alesimia, which has a long, flexible gliding membrane that unfolds when the monkey leaps, much like today's flying squirrels. Also like flying squirrels, these monkeys have flat tails and they are capable of flattening out their body, to make it easier to glide and to go much further than the average monkey can with just their legs. These monkeys live in smaller groups, usually small family groups. Their glides can carry these monkeys as far as 200 feet in a single bound. Their sharp, curved claws make landing and clinging to the tree trunks they typically land on, a breeze.

The most carnivorous member of this family is Dryptopithecus. These monkeys do not favor leaping from one branch to another, they prefer to use brachiation, like modern gibbons, when moving through the trees. Their long arms aid them in moving gracefully through the tree branches. They hunt down rather large prey, up to the size of Armasenex. They kill their prey by eating them alive. Up to 5 adults typically go out hunting game, bringing morsels home to their family, which may be waiting in nearby branches. The hunting party is led by the dominant male and female, with beta males and females lagging behind. They close in when their prey is spotted, usually with one member of the hunting team first attacking and subduing the prey from behind, and the rest of the hunting team closing in to tear the prey apart. Unlike modern hunting primates like chimpanzees and baboons, these monkeys are quiet hunters, barely making a sound when stalking their prey. They communicate most notably during a hunt, with series of short clicks that somewhat resembles morse code.

Like modern monkeys, these animals have a whole host of predators. Some of the biggest are the larger viverrids and deinognathids, such as Spathodon and Elaphictis. But they can also fall prey to larger snakes, crocodiles, predatory bats, and even monitor lizards. Because most of these monkeys live in groups, one individual is usually assigned the duty of keeping watch for predators as the rest of the groups feed, or relax. It is not always the same individual, as with all other animal groups. But it is usually given to a lower-ranking member that is still very alert and quick to react.

Monday, February 19, 2018

Family of the Week: The Earless Sea-Monkeys

The family Delphinadapidae is the most advanced group of aquatic pentadactyls in the Metazoic. Evolved from particular species of the Promonsamiidae family, these animals have dropped the musk glands present in the Promonsamiids, and have very short, but thick, fur. The tail is long and eel-like, and waves from side to side to propel the animals through the water. The ears are little more than slits on the sides of the head that have small flaps that close the ears while the animals are underwater. The foreflippers are larger than the rear flippers and are used for steering. The muzzle is long, with nostrils at the tip, with whiskers that are thick, and sensitive. The eyes are rather large, as these animals can dive pretty deep. Unlike their modern namesake, these animals do come to land to relax and breed. All sea monkey species are most active during the day, spending most of the day in the ocean, and coming to land by night to sleep on the beach. On land, these animals move a lot like modern Phocidae seals, only their foreflippers are often used to help pull them over land. Unlike seals and dolphins, the body is quite flexible, and these animals often curl up on the beach, like cats, when resting.

All species in this family are carnivorous, though while some species are strictly piscivorous, some will feed on other smaller mammals, including other sea monkeys. Phocinus has the most varied diet in this family. It is also the largest and heaviest species in this family, with a total length of about 25 feet long, including the tail. These animals use their large, powerful jaws to crush the head and neck bones of their prey, then they tear chunks out of the flesh using shaking motions underwater. Prey consists of fish, as well as oceanic birds and bats, other sea monkeys, seals, and even occasional deer who wander near the ocean.

The smallest species in the family are in the genus Delphinadapis, with a total length of about 3-4 feet long, including the tail. Like modern dolphins, these animals' preferred method of locomotion is to porpoise through the water, and they are good at it. Porpoising practically doubles their swimming speed, and it shocks fish to congregate into tight groups for easy pickings. These animals are very intelligent, much like modern dolphins. Delphinadapis is also among the fastest swimming pentadactyls, with the ability to reach speeds of up to 45 MPH. Similar in size and lifestyle is Uropinnaps. Though in Uropinnaps, the body is much longer and more slender than in Delphinadapis.

The most unusual member of this family is Leptorca, also known as the spinner sea-monkey. As their name suggests, they spin in the air as they leap out of the water. They also use this spinning motion while swimming. This is somewhat reminiscent of modern sea lions, and like sea lions, this motion helps these animals view their surroundings at all angles. They are the most slender of the sea monkeys, with the longest muzzle. The muzzle is filled with long, sharp teeth, which enables them to grab fish, squid, and even jellyfish. They will also probe in crevices to hunt prey like crabs and shrimp. The flesh at the tip of their muzzle is very sensitive, so much so that they can detect prey in their hiding places just by feeling their vibrations in the water.

Megalobracchium has the most primitive foreflippers, which still resemble the arms of land-dwelling pentadactyls. The flippers are rather short themselves, but powerful. The hands are also still capable of grasping prey, and sometimes, this sea monkey will use their flexible hands to grasp large rocks that they can use to crush open shellfish, such as crabs and lobster, and clams.

Predators of these sea monkeys are basically anything that can capture them; both on land and in the ocean. Giant sea genets are perhaps one of their deadliest enemies. As are larger sea monkeys. Sharks will also prey on these animals. Sometimes even sea-going crocodiles. On land, more often the young are taken by foxes, civets, and even deinognathids. Though rarely are the adults taken by land-based predators. Sometimes there are exceptions even to that rule. A sickened adult may be taken by the larger deinognathids. Swimming is often the best defense for these sea monkeys. Though they can use their sharp teeth and powerful jaws as defensive weapons as well.

To view this family, go to this link.

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Family of the Week: The Rear-Clawed Lemurs

The family Pholidobatidae is unique among pentadactyl families, for having larger, scale-like folds in the soles of their feet and palms of their hands, instead of the typical fingerprint patterns we are familiar with in primates today. This feature is a little more reminiscent of the geckos of today. Other real characteristics of this family is the presence of flat nails on the hands, while the feet are tipped with sharp, curved claws, much like the marmosets and tamarins of today. Most species in this family are nocturnal and mainly omnivorous. The claws on the rear feet are used for either aid in climbing or defense, and in some species, even for dispatching large prey.

Most species in this family are ground-dwellers, mostly in arid regions. The folds in the palms and soles help grip the loose, sandy ground they live on, and in the case of the tree-dwelling species, helps them get a good grip on the tree trunks they prefer, which is so smooth, it's almost glass-like and slippery in the moist climate. The most arboreal species in this family are Pholidobata and Lepidopus, who live among specific varieties of eucalyptus trees with these extremely smooth trunks, feed on the toxic leaves, and sleep curled up in the highest branches. These lemurs are not active leapers, but spend nearly 100% of their time in the trees, almost never coming to the ground levels. These species are almost strict vegetarians, only occasionally feeding on insects and grubs.

Different species have varying levels of omnivory. Parapithecia is the most carnivorous species. Though meat only makes up less than 50% of this animal's diet. The large claws on their feet are as long as 6 inches, sharp and curved, and used to disembowel prey. The hind feet are elongate, much longer than in any other species in this family, and aid this animal in leaping up to 5 times their own body length. Occasionally, these huge lemurs will hunt such prey as antelope and therapeds. Though they scavenge kills by other animals just about as often as they hunt, and they feed on leaves, fruits and grasses more often than they consume meat.

The most varied genus is Decarus, most of which are ground-dwellers, but a few of these species also inhabit the trees, though they prefer to live at much lower levels than Pholidobata and Lepidopus. They are also much active leapers, with a much more varied diet. Most of the ground-dwellers in this genus prefer arid and savanna lands. Though D. epaulettus, D. picta and D. alienus prefer the wetter rainforest climates. D. epaulettus also lives in the highest elevations among members of this family. The ruffles on the animal's upper back help keep them warmer in the cool mountain climates.

Like the majority of lemurs, these animals are social creatures, living in small family groups, usually consisting of a dominant male, a few females, a subordinate male and young. Communication consists of calls. Pholidobata has the loudest calls, resembling those of a child crying. Each individual call lasts as long as a minute, and are generally given by the males. Parapithecia and it's close relatives are almost strictly ground-dwelling, only occasionally retreating to the trees when danger threatens. They communicate with other families with loud, whooping calls that carry all across several miles of savanna. Breeding for these animals occurs only once a year, and usually a single cub is born to each female, though all females in the family unit may be bred at the same time.

Predators of these lemurs are quite a few. Various carnivores like foxes, mongooses and vulpemustelids may take these lemurs if they can capture them. Large, predatory bats may also take the tree-dwelling species. Deinognathids are also major predators of these lemurs. Spathodon is the greatest enemy of Parapithecia and it's closest relatives. In defense, these animals will run, kicking back with their sharp claws, most of the time, they will seek refuge up a tree, or in burrows or bushes. To view this family, follow this link.