Split-Tongue Jabberwocky

Having split from its ancestor, the Split-Tongue Jabberwocky has spread throughout Hydro island. While certainly not the largest species native there, the fact they now form small family herds - containing around four to six individuals led by a mated pair of adults - has helped to protect them from most predators native to the island. Through a case of convergent evolution, this species bear a passing to the pseudo-gulpers of millennia past, such as the Tungrab. Standing semi-upright on their three-toed feet, the larger frame of Split-Tongue Jabberwocky has led to an increase in its weight as well. To help more evenly spread this out as it walks, this species has evolved a knuckle-walking style of quadrupedal motion. To help ease the pressure on the digits of its forelimbs that would accompany this, the density and thickness of the bones of the knuckles have increased, as had the skin covering them. Most adults bear calloused, scarred tissue on their knuckles - typically from striking a rock or errant branch at a wrong angle - to the point many have turned a grayish-white coloration there. The namesake of this species, the tongue, is quite apparent at first glance. Even longer than that of its ancestor, the tip of it now splits in two. Coated in a sticky saliva, it can snare small prey such as Vermees and Dartirs with little effort. The tongue has also evolved a degree of prehensility. With some effort, they can grab and manipulate small items - primarily food - and move them around. As its forelimbs are more suited for the task of locomotion and grasping onto trees when feeding, this has been a very useful evolutionary adaptation as it allows them to reach food that would otherwise be out of reach for similarly sized organisms. Mating begins with a mature male producing a quick chirping sound while rapidly raising and lowering its ears. While their function for the role of photosynthesis has weakened, it is not due to a loss of function. Instead, the excess energy and oxygen that would be produced by the process is now used to fuel recently evolved luciferin compounds within their blood. While typically inactive, it is during these mating displays that their function is triggered and the ears begin to glow with a faint luminescence. While not terribly bright, the patterns that form help to display how healthy the individual is and help to attract members of the opposite sex. Should the female be reciprocal to the male's display, she will mimic his actions. Soon after, copulation will occur and the female will eventually give birth to two or three offspring. The juveniles will stay with the family until they are old enough to form new herd of their own at around, which typically occurs after four years.