Sporivorous Dartir

Splitting from its ancestor, the sporivorous dartir has adapted to feed mostly upon spores in Yokto Forest. In order to do this effectively, it has developed a large number of physical adaptations, including a new mouth structure with pseudo-tentacles that reach out and “lick” up spores, a foot-like structure at the end of the tail to act as support, a number of carapace extensions along its underside for the same purpose, and the movement of its eyes from the back to the sides, where they can look down for the bright spore-producing structures of Yokto flora. Sporivorous dartir live a two-year lifespan, the first consisting of hatching in the spring, eating through summer and fall to grow, then hibernating through winter. The second year of life the sporivorous dartir eat to replenish their energy from the winter hibernation, mate in fall, lay their eggs, then die. In order to avoid predation, sporivorous dartir have adapted to a seasonal camouflage, during spring and summer they remain brown to blend in with the ground and trunks, since most spore-producing flora do not have spores at the time, then change to a reddish-orange color during fall, in order to blend in with the “flowers” of various flora.