Speculative Apes of April: House-Building

They say a man's home is his castle. And while it may not be human, Artifipithecus lutucastrum certainly seems to have taken that statement to heart. An inhabitant of coastal areas of Southeast Asia, especially near saltwater mangrove swamps, this ape has evolved a unique lifestyle. The species name "lutucastrum" means "mud castle" in Latin, and that is as good a description as any of how this relatively small ape constructs its permanent dwellings. Most non-human apes are nomadic, building temporary beds to sleep in every night out of twigs and leaves. Artifipithecus, on the other hand, lives in large colonies that inhabit tower-like structures of mud and clay. These are usually built around the bases of trees, and can be up to thirty feet tall. They are hollow, and on the inside they contain living and sleeping space for dozens of Artifipithecus. Each colony is usually led by a male who is larger and stronger than the rest, and is often the father of most of the young. The colony is, in essence, an extended family.

A single Artifipithecus "castle" may remain in use for decades or even over a century, and will remain standing long after its tenants abandon it. The mud and clay used to build the structure is baked hard by the sun, and provides rock-solid protection from predators as well as rivals. It also serves as protection from the weather, offering shade from the hot tropical sun and shelter from the rain. If part of the "castle" is broken, it can easily be repaired with extra mud, something that is ready supply in the swampy environments favored by Artifipithecus.