Dashrack

The Dashrack has split from its ancestor the Hophorn. It has adapted as a very fast runner. Its legs are very long and well muscled. At the bottom of its toes are constantly growing bristly fibers. As they run they help grip the ground as well as wear down in order to keep them from overgrowing. The tail is very long and flexible for high-speed turns. The tubes of the butt-nostril holes are organized around a circular axis, and controlled by a single muscle to produce a wide array of tunes consisting of some using a combination of tubes. The arms are stunted and no longer function. The head has a much larger rack of horns as well as spiky bumps. These are used for defense as well as display. The head crest is longer as well and only used for display. The better developed eyes are used in displaying to focus on bright colors and movements. The neck is longer to use for better reach over the ground as well as in mating dances consisting of head thrashing. The lower jaw has a prominent chin that is used to prop itself up from resting since it can no longer use its arms. The photosynthetic leaves are very small and almost non-functional. They are only used to aid in starting the day. The Dashrack lives in large herds that travel seasonally across the plains feeding on vegetation. When encountered by predators they run in a single direction grouping and regrouping, using their stripes to confuse predators. If cornered, the Dashrack can use powerful kicks as well as head-butting. It can also lunge its head forward to use its front spikes to cause damage. At night several sentries use their keen eyesight at the edges of the herd to spot night predators. The Dashrack is led by several dominant males and females. The dominant ones don't have sole mating rights, but they do have control over where the herd goes. The dominant males and females have more brightly colored horns and head crests than the rest of the herd. All members of the herd can mate and both sexes use head thrashing and head bobbing, showing off bright colors. Males fight over females by locking their horns and trying to push the other over.