Phouka

With no natural predators within their ancestral homeland, the population of the electro spelunkhoe inevitably continued to grow, only kept in check by the amount of food available. When food sources were low, mass migrations would occur, the first and, for the time, most prominent of which gave rise to the Hikahoe and its descendants. This migration wave would not be the last, however, and would be followed by several other, smaller waves which typically fared poorly: the participants of these were often times overwhelmed by predators or succumbed to the elements. This went on until, after several thousand years, a particularly fruitful series of decades led to much floral abundance in Electro Limestone Caves, which in turn led to a massive increase in the spelunkhoe population within. When food sources eventually dwindled, though, starvation followed. To avoid death, one of the largest migration known for the species was undergone, all in the search of new food sources. As they left the cave system, the wave eventually split into three, all of which went their separate ways.

The phouka came about from the wave that went southwards, further into the mountainous hills and temperate woodlands. There they found a bounty of flora much akin to that which grew within their ancient home, and soon adapted to feed upon it and thus flourished. Due to the cooler temperatures, they have grown bigger over the countless generations, with females being distinctly larger than the males. Skin hued a slight dusty brown, they hide amongst the underbrush, bolting at the first sign of danger, and live fairly solitary lives until the crisp air of fall blankets the land. Sensing the impending onslaught of winter that is sure to come, males will seek out females to mate with, as well as begin to gorge themselves until they have developed a fine layer of fat.

As the first snowflakes begin to fall, the phouka dig their burrows in secure, well-hidden locations, so that they may be safe from starving predators once the land is covered in snow. They will line their burrows with dried out leaves and small flora, which serve to help insulate as well as provide a quick snack should they wake too soon from their hibernation. Indeed, unlike their ancestors, the phouka have evolved the capacity to hibernate, which they utilize to help them avoid the harsher parts of the year when winter hold reign over the woodlands. Snug in their holes, they sleep peacefully until the warmth of spring arrives and wakes them from their slumber.

Many females will wake to the stirring of one to two offspring who are born towards the end of the winter. Already possessed well-developed forelimb claws and arm muscles, the newborn pups will instinctually make their way to the warm and protection of their mother's pouches. Within these pouches, which once formed a part of the photosynthetic wing structures of earlier plents, the mothers now secrete a thick, sugary sap-like substance which the young eagerly lap up for nourishment, much akin to how the offspring of other species of Sagan IV consume milk.

The young will stick with their mothers for three to four months, during which they will leave the pouch within a quarter of that time. During this period of time, they will learn what food is safe to eat, how to dig burrows, as well as how to avoid predation. Should they manage to survive to adulthood, they will potentially live up to half dozen years should neither sickness or predation claim them.