Xatagung

The xatagung splits from its ancestor. The xatagung is practically neckless, and thus must use its tongue to reach food on the ground. Its tongue is disproportionately long for this function. The warts of the tongue increase the tongue's tactile sensitivity, allowing it to select softer, tastier species or growth stages of purpleflora among similar-smelling but less tasty relatives or growth stages. The hugeness of the tongue and hunched-over feeding posture, along with xatagungs' tendency to open their mouths wide when feeding, gives the impression xatagungs are constantly throwing up as they forage. The xatagung cannot see directly in front of it, on account of its eyes being on the sides of its head. Thus, its eyesight is useless in selecting flora to eat. Xatagungs have slender legs, but rather thick tail legs. The tail-legs are positioned to spring strongly against the ground if the xatagung is startled, propelling the xatagung about 28 cm from its starting point. In midair, the xatagung brings its legs forward, allowing it to run upon landing. Since it relies so much on speed, its armor is even more reduced than its ancestor's. Xatagungs forage in herds of six to twelve members. Xatagungs are wary creatures, constantly watching for predators and for their herdmates' reactions to predators. Consequently, when one xatagung is startled and springs away, its herdmates quickly follow it. This can cause mini-stampedes.