The Pseudosims
This is a family of mostly rather large animals, all
derived from the propithecines. All species are bipeds.
They are almost exclusively vegetarian, though some
insects are a part of their diet. Most live on the ground
but a few take to trees when danger threatens. All
species in this family are confined to the island of
Madagascar.
derived from the propithecines. All species are bipeds.
They are almost exclusively vegetarian, though some
insects are a part of their diet. Most live on the ground
but a few take to trees when danger threatens. All
species in this family are confined to the island of
Madagascar.
Beradapis
One of the most widespread species in this
group. This is the heaviest and bulkiest
species in this family. They feed exclusively
on leaves, berries, fallen fruits and
occasionally tree bark. Sometimes they will
even graze on grass. When threatened by
a predator like Galiditherium, these animals
can kick hard. Running is actually a last
resort as these animals are not very fast.
One of the most widespread species in this
group. This is the heaviest and bulkiest
species in this family. They feed exclusively
on leaves, berries, fallen fruits and
occasionally tree bark. Sometimes they will
even graze on grass. When threatened by
a predator like Galiditherium, these animals
can kick hard. Running is actually a last
resort as these animals are not very fast.
Heterolemur
This animal is distinguished by other
Pseudosims by the horse-like mane. They
are considerably lighter and faster than
Beradapis. The diet of these giant lemurs
consists of vegetation and even some small
vertebrates like lizards. Like Beradapis,
they can stand and battle a predator. But
unlike Beradapis, this species prefers to
flee a predator. They live in rather large
herds.
This animal is distinguished by other
Pseudosims by the horse-like mane. They
are considerably lighter and faster than
Beradapis. The diet of these giant lemurs
consists of vegetation and even some small
vertebrates like lizards. Like Beradapis,
they can stand and battle a predator. But
unlike Beradapis, this species prefers to
flee a predator. They live in rather large
herds.
Leptopetes
This is the smallest and most lightweight
species in this family. They are built very
slenderly and are capable of leaping through
the trees like modern lemurs. Only they
move like ostriches, rather than simply hop.
They do spend some time on the ground,
searching for insects, ripe, fallen fruit and
small vertebrates. They usually retreat to the
trees to escape danger or to feed on ripe
leaves and berries.
This is the smallest and most lightweight
species in this family. They are built very
slenderly and are capable of leaping through
the trees like modern lemurs. Only they
move like ostriches, rather than simply hop.
They do spend some time on the ground,
searching for insects, ripe, fallen fruit and
small vertebrates. They usually retreat to the
trees to escape danger or to feed on ripe
leaves and berries.
Metalces
This species is semi-aquatic. They spend
most of their day up to their hocks in water
feeding on water reeds, hyacinths and other
aquatic plants and swamp grass. The water
also acts as a deterrent to most predators,
or to slow them down enough so these large
lemurs can make a quick get-away. They live
in groups and usually one member of the
group is at the edge of the swamp acting as
the sentry. The main predator that bothers
them is Galiditherium. When this predator
attacks these lemurs head for deep water.
This species is semi-aquatic. They spend
most of their day up to their hocks in water
feeding on water reeds, hyacinths and other
aquatic plants and swamp grass. The water
also acts as a deterrent to most predators,
or to slow them down enough so these large
lemurs can make a quick get-away. They live
in groups and usually one member of the
group is at the edge of the swamp acting as
the sentry. The main predator that bothers
them is Galiditherium. When this predator
attacks these lemurs head for deep water.
Mimetes
A heavy-set, slow-moving animal of the trees.
This is a good-sized animal, about the size of
a modern orangutan, and feeds exclusively on
leaves, flowers, fruits and berries. This is the
largest tree-dweller in Madagascar. Though
they are not totally safe from predators like
Pumella and Galiditherium, they are powerful
and will stand and fight off most of these
predators. The males are equipped with long,
sharp teeth, useful for deterring predators.
They can actually inflict a nasty bite and may
even seriously injure or even kill a predator.
A heavy-set, slow-moving animal of the trees.
This is a good-sized animal, about the size of
a modern orangutan, and feeds exclusively on
leaves, flowers, fruits and berries. This is the
largest tree-dweller in Madagascar. Though
they are not totally safe from predators like
Pumella and Galiditherium, they are powerful
and will stand and fight off most of these
predators. The males are equipped with long,
sharp teeth, useful for deterring predators.
They can actually inflict a nasty bite and may
even seriously injure or even kill a predator.