Rainbow Phlock

The rainbow phlock replaced its ancestor the purple phlock after some herds from Colddigger Polar Beach migrated into Vivus Polar Scrub and Vivus Taiga, pushed out by competition from other species. The rainbow phlock adapted to eating tripcrystals while the purple phlock went extinct on Colddigger Polar Beach. They now thrive in the taiga, with vast herds clearing wide trails of forest. Some herds can be found in Vivus Polar Scrub but this biome cannot sustain large populations. Stampedes are common as they are often followed by scrags of vivus dinarunners. Brilliant coloration has evolved to blend in with tripcrystals, but some of the original purple pigment of its ancestor remains on its belly as well. Like its ancestor, it has little defense against predators other than butt-nostril sounds and wing-leaf displays (also used to attract mates) so they reproduce quickly. An average healthy female has 6 offspring per year, spaced out evenly. Only 3 grow to adulthood on average, however, because of predators and the mothers' tendency to abandon male offspring. This habit keeps the male population at around 15% in most herds. Thus, few males mate with many females. Males also stay on the outside of the herd, and young are kept in the center when on the move. This is not because of sexual dimorphism, males are just considered less important to the herd.