Longjake

The longjake split from its ancestor. It has elaborated on its ancestor’s semi-aquatic habits and now lives mostly in water. Much of its fur has been replaced with scales like those on its ancestor's underbelly, except for a mane running down its back, which is vibrant orange in males and black in females. The mane is stiff and waterproof, and it aids in swimming similar to an eel’s fin. As the tails of tamjacks are adapted to swing side-to-side, the longjake has evolved to swim primarily with a left-right undulation of its body and tail. It is a slow swimmer, preferring to walk on the sediment while searching for food. Its eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed high so that it may take a breath quickly and peer above water without exposing itself.

Unlike its ancestor, the longjake will consume both flora and fauna. It will upturn either one with its snout, uprooting rooted flora and tossing fauna from the sediment so that it may eat them entirely. It is immune to the poison of marine crystals. It will also consume floating flora and pull puffgrasses and goth trees right off their rafts. There is very little it will not eat, as its teeth can crush shells and grind wood and chitin, and its use of hindgut fermentation allows it to digest tough flora and meat at the same time. It will even scavenge from carcasses. This helps it maintain its large size in its aquatic choice of habitat.

Like its ancestor, the longjake has a saw on its tail which can severely injure any would-be attacker. A well-aimed strike can disembowel or decapitate.

Like its ancestor, the longjake lacks a functional pouch and gives live birth to fairly well-developed young capable of running soon after birth. It walks onto land to do so, but juveniles will follow their mother into the water and nurse while swimming. They are independent as soon as they are weaned. Juveniles commonly flee onto the beaches to escape from predators.