Tarawaka

The tarawaka split from its ancestor. It has become a wading predator, preying on the smaller swimming fauna of north Dixon. Their primary territory is in all places close to water. If prey is scarce, individuals may migrate through the rainforest to better fishing grounds. While away from water they will hunt the fauna which live in the leaf litter. They can swim in deeper water, albeit awkwardly. It's legs are darkly colored, tricking prey into mistaking it for an obsidian or similar black flora. It lacks spot patterns on its belly, as such colors would warn creatures with better color vision. Its butt-nostril is shorter and curved, allowing individuals to remain in a bent posture without risk of breathing in water. It stands motionless in water, with it's head just above the surface. When prey swims to close, it snags it with a quick flick of the neck and a snap of it's jaws. If the catch is small enough, it will raise its head above the water and gulp down the meal before resetting its hunting position; if the prey is too big, it will carry it to shore and tear it into more manageable chunks. Individuals live for 10 years, reaching maturity in the first year. Pairs mate for life, producing 1-2 offspring every year. Chicks stay out of deep water for the first few months, relying on parental feedings; eventually they accompany their parents to learn the proper fishing technique. Matured offspring will live near their parents for another year at most before being driven off to an unclaimed stretch of riverbed.