Nailfin

The nailfin split from its ancestor the river pipent. Its is now fully aquatic and never comes onto land. It is also only eats river flora and will graze all day on them. Their main adaptation is their claws have turned into tiny flippers on each foot. They are much fatter with layers of blubber to keep them warm in the icy waters of the river. This also keeps them buoyant in the water so they do not have to swim so hard. Their coloring is black and purple to blend in with the black flora and purple tangle root.

Their ears are under the blubber and can only really hear sound underwater. They have two sets of eyes. One which is above the water and one under the water. The one under the water has adapted to see better under water with a see through eyelid while the above eye has a solid eye lid which it will close if it goes under water. Their butt nostril also has developed a sphincter which closes when it goes under water.

They maintained their ancestors’ social behavior and intelligence and lives in packs of up to 10 members that raise their young, take care of each other, and work as a leaderless group. They maintained their laughter and tickles and even adapted it for their social benefit. Tickling became the most common social interaction, which can take place between any nailfin at all ages. They use it to relief tensions in the herd, to test new nailfin that join the herd, and just for the fun of it in order to show mutual care. They tickle each other mainly by rubbing their tails. Their laughter is very loud and booming.

In mating season the pack separates for some time. Nailfin are monogamist and in each mating season the couples separate from the group to mate. They have a longer gestation so the young can swim in the water when they are born. They give birth to one offspring once a year in the water. The baby will rest on their parents backs and tail for both protection and so it doesn't have to work so hard.

They try to stay away from their meat eating relatives and other predators of the river who might want to eat their babies. Though that do get in between a mother and her calf are in some serious trouble since she will charge them and bite with her powerful jaws. Sometimes even beaching herself to try to get to them.