Browsing Maskplent

The browsing maskplent replaced its ancestor in the tropical forests of Darwin. It changed to a browser after its shroom-eating lifestyle was taken over by the pugnacious shroom-eating plent. To better reach its food it has doubled in size and its head has lengthened considerably as well as becoming more flexible. Its mask has changed color, its is now primarily purple to give it some passive camouflage, however it still has dark purple spots; the spot pattern on each individuals mask is slightly different allowing them to tell each other apart. Its eyes have changed position with one pair in the very front and one in the very back to increase its range of vision.

They have become more social, with females forming groups of 3 for the majority of the year as protection for their young; however males tend to keep to themselves. Its leaves have moved farther back on the body and have decreased in their photosynthesizing power; they are now used to signal others of its species (see chart below) during mating season (beginning of the dry season) they will gather in groups of about 20 females, with males entering periodically to fight for mating rights; usually involving hitting each other with their solid hooves and bellowing, females will then choose males to mate with based on their success.

=Signaling chart:= Leaves held up with occasional low bellow = calm

3 loud bellows while flapping leaves up and down = upset; + 2 stomps of a forefoot = attack

Leaves held down and 1 bellow = submission