Fursquid



Spawned from the filtersquids, these squids have grown in length a whole 10 centimeters. Contrary to popular belief, the "fur" covering the mantle is not fur at all, but setae, like those covering the tentacles themselves. Like their cousins, the filtersquids, they spend their entire lives in freshwater, and are only found within the confines of the Ichthy River, although they can be found throughout its entire length.

Since the fursquid swims backwards, the setae covering the mantle can collect large amounts of microorganisms for it to consume. To aid in this, the tips of the tentacles have gained setae, but these have quickly become significantly stiffer than the rest, in order to function as combs. These are periodically brushed through the mantle setae, and then the comb is curled into the rest of the arm, which also has setae; this tentacle setae is mainly used to keep the microorganisms from being lost back into the water. The curled arm then enters the mouth, which closes around the tentacle; the tentacle then pulls back out, cleaned of microorganisms.

Fursquids generally alternate which arm they use to comb through the mantle setae, with the more successful ones already combing for more food while their other tentacle is still being taken to the mouth, although several have shown favoritism towards a specific tentacle.

The bristlesquid's ability to filter food directly through their siphon into an internal chamber still exists, but is less efficient than those on their ancestor-cousins. This process still works like those on bristlesquids and filtersquids.

The eyespots of these squids have become more advanced, as well. They are now made up of calcite, using a clear calcite crystal to the lens for each eye. Due to the rigid nature of this calcite, this prevents them from being able to alter their focusing ability, but instead provides them with an improved depth of field.

Although superior to the filtersquids, they have failed to properly replace them, and the two are known to coexist, although they do compete for food.