Double-Lipped Sauceback

The Double-Lipped Sauceback split from its ancestor. Being the largest herbivore in most of its range and having no competition for the niche of browser, it was able to grow significantly larger immediately. It has established itself as one of the largest herbivores in Drake, feeding from the newly-evolved crystal trees in its range. Its "sauce" segment is elongated to house a larger gut, as its entire digestive system apart from its mouth and esophagus is contained within that segment.

The Double-Lipped Sauceback is named for the fact that its lip-trunk has split into two very long prehensile lips. These are used to grasp and manipulate branches while feeding, a behaviour similar to some long-nosed mammals on Earth. It mashes up the branches and crystals with its sideways beak-like jaws. It retains pinhole eyestrils and detects danger mainly using its sense of hearing. It does not echolocate at all, unlike its ancestor, and it can only be found awake during the day.

Unlike its ancestor, the Double-Lipped Sauceback’s offspring hatch with their legs already developed. The feathered hatchlings can run minutes after birth and will follow their mother around. Juveniles are much faster than adults and can sprint away from danger, while adults rely mostly on size and strength to fight off predators. The Double-Lipped Sauceback does not move in herds, but it will sometimes be found in groups for social reasons. Similar to its ancestor, it lays and incubates clutches of 3-8 soft-shelled eggs. While the eggs are incubating the parents take turns sitting on them, but after they hatch the father leaves.