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Monkey business

SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - When Camille Dorian introduces you to the inhabitants of her Clairemont home, one thing becomes immediately apparent. They all love peanut butter sandwiches.

Camille actually makes the sandwiches and cares for the five monkeys who live with her.

"I've had monkeys for over 30 years. I'm licensed, I have an exhibitor's license, which means I'm like a small zoo," she said.

Here, she opens her home to primatology and zoological students to get personal with her primates.

"There's a lot of value in studying monkeys up close," Camille said. "Each species has its own specialized behavior, so there really is a lot to learn about monkeys."

Camille is on a mission to set the record straight.

"There's a huge difference between monkeys and apes. Monkeys are a different species, and they are certainly different from apes," she explained.

It's a point she's willing to dramatically illustrate to an unsuspecting reporter. To better understand a monkey, you've got to eat like one, so Camille poured me a bowl of monkey chow.

Camille also shares her home with students who express their experience through art.

The monkeys love us, almost as much as a peanut butter sandwich.

Monkey Matters magazine: ceecee@monkeymatters.com