Paddlepede

The paddlepede has split from it’s ancestor. When strong currents from the Jujubee Ocean washed krillpede onto the shores of Glicker, they would often be quickly picked off by predators. But on Yokto Island, there was nothing to prey on the helpless pedes. This meant that over generations the pedes that got washed ashore became stronger and stronger walkers, as these were the ones who were able to crawl back to the ocean. Over time, these individuals evolved an island life. As there are no predators on the island there was an opportunity for them with only two boundaries.

The paddlepede has switched it’s diet. The hairs in it’s beak have become tougher and are no able to break up the soft bodies of stickyballs which cover the island due to the lack of quick predators. Their beak has evolved into a scoop shape to pry stickyballs off any surface.

The paddlepede is still dependent on water, so it spends the daytime in pools and streams. They only crawl out of the water to feed at night. This is because it is cooler and their bodies will lose less water. This behavior gives the paddlepede it’s name. It uses it’s antennae to locate its food. They have also evolved tough plates on their underbelly to hold yet more water inside their body. In between these plates have evolved specialized pores that are adapted to absorb oxygen. They are simple but allow oxygen circulation that enable the paddlepede to leave the water for long periods of time. However, the pedes will usually return to some water once or twice during a night if they can, otherwise they do tend to get sluggish.