Leepi Meepi

The Leepi Meepi split from its ancestor. It shrunk in size by 10 times, taking on the somewhat empty niche of very small detritivore, this allows its larvae to take advantage of much smaller sources of debris than its ancestor, such as simply existing in layers of leaf litter. Lessening the burden of obtaining fuel for metamorphosis into adult forms the Leepi Meepi remains exothermic it's entire life. Its brain has shrunk considerably from similar selection. Preferred habitat are areas that have decomposing Flora matter, as well as a continual source of moisture. They can often times be found in crevices under rocks or logs where moisture from the soil keeps the air more humid, and daylight is less likely to overheat or desiccate them.

Their endoskeleton is rather minimalistic at this point, acting mainly as connection points for organs and muscles as opposed to a robust support system. The tissue that comprises their hooves has developed into more of a mesh basket that is fused with the skin of their soft tissue, this remains a fairly flexible amalgamation for the tips of their digits but becomes more rigid and supportive for the legs. Their torso and tail gain most of their support from the sauce and nostril ridge, the latter of which has become more of a semi rigid sheet of chitin.

The head has become very small and narrow and elongate, no longer needing to house heavy muscles for processing tough foods and rather relying on the decomposition process to break down its food before shoveling the soggy debris piece by piece into its mouth. It only has the two tusk-like mandibles on the sides of its mouth plus two teeth remaining inside its mouth, the mandibles being used for gentle chewing and tearing while the inner teeth mainly provide a means of preventing food from falling out of its mouth. The related nostrils, paired in embryonic development with the teeth of the oral ring, develop into more of a strip-shaped pit of sensitive membrane that capture wafts of scent out of the air as opposed to a deep nostril. Around at the very base of the mandibles remains what's left of its feathers in the form of whiskers for tactile investigation of its surroundings.

The microlungs toward the back of the torso are rather minimal in their active collection of oxygen. Due to their size the movement of air from inside to outside and back requires less assistance. Upon adulthood females begin producing eggs parthenogenically, these individuals can make up a large portion of the larval population in an area. Males a few days after reaching adulthood are able to reproduce, unceremoniously and rather briefly they couple with females in their vicinity before moving to a new area in a rather nomadic lifestyle. From egg to adults usually takes about 1 to 2 months of time, most species have several consecutive generations in a given year with each of those generations producing gratuitous amounts of eggs upon maturity and continuing to do so for the rest of the active season.

They are capable of walking around normally, though are a little slow, and when undisturbed will do so while seeking moisture and debris to eat. If they are disturbed however their legs are capable of flinging them any particular direction many times their own body length, some even being able to throw themselves 20 cm away before very quickly leaping again.