Wading Phlock

The wading phlock are the descendants of the purple phlock native to Fermi. Their evolution was driven mainly as a response to predation of species on the island and increasing competition driving them to more extreme niches. They have begun inhabiting the intertidal zones of Fermi, wading out into the water to feed on purple flora out in the surf. Over time, only those filling this niche were successful in reproducing, leading to the local extinction of its ancestor.

They are very social and travel in large herds grazing on the fast-growing purple flora. They spend their days moving in herds, feeding on flora both on the beach and in the water. This resource has proved beneficial, as the flora on the beaches of Fermi have strong competition, especially in the winter when growth slows. Despite their lifestyle they are not strong swimmers, instead walking across the seabed as they graze relying on their bulk to keep them planted. Their slow moving pace allows some plankton and mesofauna to grow on their skin, which can help assist in camouflaging them in the water. out of the water their dark blue coloration works to blend them into the black sands of the coast and beach. If strong currents sweep them out into deeper waters their blubber provides some assistance in swimming, though generally they will drown.

The surf also provides protection from predators such as the snowstalker tuskent. If sighted they will warn others by making a tooting sound from their butt-nostrils. They do not have many defenses other than raising up their wing-leaves to try to scare away predators. Failing this they will flee into the ocean hoping the predators will avoid them. During colder months they will migrate up north to the temperate coastal areas in search of food and warmth.

Males have developed display growths on their wings which grow in every mating season to attract females. These displays are dangerous for the males, as they make them stand out even more and put them at risk of predation. Females mate with those with the most elaborate displays, as they increase in complexity with age and vitality, ensuring they have the healthiest offspring with the fittest males. Once mating season ends the displays will fall off and be consumed by the males or pregnant females to make use of the expended resources. These horn-like displays will litter the beach and surf and become a readily available source of scavengeable food. They reproduce frequently and with many offspring, usually mating in the winter months so their young will be born in mid-spring when food is plentiful. They nest on the beaches near outcrops to protect the young. While the females tend to their offspring, males will keep watch for predators.