Shrubrattus

The shrubrattus split from its ancestor, the jongfoll. They have adapted to life among low-lying flora and have evolved webbed front fingers for digging shallow burrows. They tend to live in colony-like groups and are territorial. Their bark shells are thicker and often get sharp crystals from crystal brambleys stuck in them, eventually seeding more of the flora for further shelter when they fall off. They have a varied diet of most crystal flora, but prefer crystal brambleys as they live under them most often. Thus, a symbiotic relationship has formed between the shrubrattus and crystal brambleys. They provide nutrients, pruning and spreading of the crystal brambley and get food and shelter in return. Although they tend to live in relatively close proximity, they are still too territorial to form true cooperating colonies. Because of safety in numbers, protection from crystal brambleys, and tough bark shells they are able to reproduce much more rapidly than they are preyed upon. Both parents care for their young, and offspring leave to find a new territory when mature.