Spineback Ketter

The spineback ketter replaced its ancestor. Its ancestor's scales have become a set of sharp spines for defense. It is more subterranial than its ancestor, using its strong claws to dig extensive tunnels and burrows under the ground; it now feeds on the roots of many flora (listed in the stats in order of preference), and has expanded its range to the surrounding chapparal. Because much of its life is spent underground, its photo-sensitive eyes have decreased in strength while its olfactory-sensitive eyes have grown in strength. After all, seeing smell of exposed roots and the trails of scent from ketters and other species is more useful in the darkness of a tunnel. Individuals live for 6 years, maturing in the first year and leaving thier parents. Females reproduce every 2 years, gestating the 2-3 young for 4 months and raising them in special nursery burrows where prechewed food is brought to them. Males mature a few months faster than females so they can have time to find a place to begin digging burrows (known as "hovels") to attract females. When a male has finished excavating a 3 square meter plot of land, he will stay outside and watch for a potential mate, hopping and squeaking when a female passes by. If he gets her attention, he will give her a tour of the hovel, and if she likes what she sees then they will mate and continue to expand thier hovel throughout thier lives.