Green-Crested Snoa

The the green-crested snoa replaced its ancestor, the sly snoa. It has doubled in size and has specialized in eating eggs. Its body is now thin and lanky to help dissipate the desert heat. Its long strong legs help it quickly grab eggs and then dash away. Its large eyes allow it to see in the dark and hunt at night. Its short strong wooden beak allow it to break open even the hardest eggs. Its foot claws are also dexterous to help hold the eggs in place while it cracks it open with its beak. Like its ancestor it is rusty-red in color to blend in with the desert soil. Its crest however is bright green and has regained its dormant photosynthetic genes. This allows them to photosynthesize during the day when they sleep and then feel even more "recharged" when they awaken at night. They are solitary creatures who only meet to mate. The mother will raise her 2-3 chicks alone for several months. Then they are sent off on their own.