Kuraimingaku

When the argusraptor complex evolved, they proved to be a powerful force, being extremely efficient and adaptable predators. This led to many species of predatory saucebacks to go extinct in areas where the argusraptor complex lived. For the gnarblunter, their range shrank to just two isolated populations in the alpine regions of the Dixon mountain range. While they are able to make a living in these habitats, any attempts of them descending into the Dixon-Darwin Boreal region resulted in them getting pushed back up by competition. To successfully recolonize their ancestral home, the ancestors of the kuraimingaku had to make some pretty major changes in both behavior and their anatomy. This eventually led to them splitting off and becoming a unique taxon.

Several adaptations distinct from their ancestor that the kuraimingaku possess are all related to climbing. These include the hoof like claws becoming akin to cleats which dig into bark to help hold on. Climbing is certainly no easy feat for a sauceback, since they lack any arms to hold on, so the kuraimingaku has had to make do with its mandibles. The kuraimingaku’s mandibles have become highly flexible, gaining the ability to rotate in a similar manner to the distantly related pirate waxface. Using their mandibles to climb means, however, that they can’t be used for feeding while in the trees. To make up for this, the teeth of the kuraimingaku are able to extend out of the mouth before being pulled back in. This feeding strategy is also seen in the argusraptor complex, though it is much more relied upon for the kuraimingaku with its lifestyle. The kuraimingaku’s tail spine has also become larger and hooked, with the whole tail being more flexible than its ancestor. This gives them the ability to use their tail to assist with holding onto a tree trunk or branch.

The reason why the kuraimingaku have developed this wide range of adaptations for climbing are due to the species being semi-arboreal. Though they primarily hunt subterranean prey in a similar manner to their ancestors, where they press an ear to burrows and listen to activity before using their claws to dig out a victim, they will also pursue prey such as hikahoe up trees. While going after their prey in areas where most saucebacks such as the argusraptor complex can’t go does give them advantage, it was not the primary reason the kuraimingaku can climb. Indeed, its arboreal adaptations are more to avoid it falling prey to things such as the argusraptor complex.

While they still echolocate to an extent, the kuraimingaku prefers not to use it since it acts much like a dinner bell to any hungry argusraptors. To help navigate while not using sound, the kuraimingaku has become the fifth lineage of sauceback to develop vision of some kind. In a similar manner to the lipped sauceback, the kuraimingaku evolved pinhole eyes from four of its scent pits. The spherical shapes of the eyes are supported by chitin. It is able to see a blurry greyscale image of its surroundings, at the cost of the eyes losing their chemoreceptive capabilities. The two pairs of eyes are in different positions, allowing them to see potential danger both at ground level and from the air. This is very helpful for detecting predators and not giving away its position while foraging, but are rendered effectively useless at night. Due to its night vision being pretty much non-existent, the kuraimingaku has to rely upon echolocation to navigate which is extremely dangerous. As a result, this species of sauceback will climb up a tree as it approaches dusk to rest, staying out of reach of the vast majority of their threats until the sun returns. Even with the sun beginning to rise up, the kuraimingaku will wait until late morning before finally descending, as its vision is still relatively poor at dawn.

Since there is a high abundance of carnivores, the kuraimingaku has shifted its diet towards omnivory, using their climbing abilities to access berries and fruit from several different species of trees. To help with grabbing food while in the trees, the kuraimingaku has developed an elongated, highly mobile tongue to aid with bringing food within reach of their extendable teeth. The species has also become solitary for the most part, as hunting in groups does not really suit their lifestyle. They do still however gather together during the night, cuddling with one another to share body warmth. The group will also build communal nests of a sort, though the eggs must be laid on the ground which puts the individuals at risk. As such, they will often dig several fake dens to help avoid predators discovering the real one. Once the larvae are born, they are taken out of the dens and brought into the safety of the trees. The young are effectively helpless for the first few weeks, so the kuraimingaku will take turns guarding the group’s young in the tree while the rest forage. To make sure they do not fall out, the adult puts the young on their back, which also keeps them warm. By the end of the day when the rest of the group returns, the other adults will feed the larvae regurgitated food from the meals they acquired throughout the day. Once the young grow in their legs and feathers, they can descend from the safety of the trees and join an adult in foraging.