Sliridleasni

Replacing its ancestor, sliridleasni have relatively little physical adaptations, including a larger size, an improved sense of smell from their “whiskers” which have been reduced to four in number but are now longer, and the rather obvious coloration. Both sexes share a common coloring over most of their bodies, consisting of dark grey, brown, and dark brown, the distribution of the three main colors varying between individuals (the one displayed has dark grey feet, a brown body, and a dark brown head), while males have bright orange markings on their undersides, also unique to the individual.

This coloration comes into play during sliridleasni mating behavior, in which the males execute somewhat ridiculous sideways leaps with legs outstretched in order to display their bright markings and physical fitness. Those males with the best markings and leaping ability are preferentially selected by the females. Due to their colorful marking however, the males have slightly more difficulty hunting, and thus usually consume more flora then the females, which often catch prey then drag it back for their young.

Similar to their ancestor species, sliridleasni live in family groups that share a common burrow(s) and help care for each other by sharing food and communicating using their high-pitched squeaking. Sliridleasni retain the ability to laugh when happy, and this is used as a signal by mothers to teach their young good behaviors, such as not standing in front of a necrokiss stalk.