Quileaffer

The quileaffer split from it's ancestor and adapted to a colder environment. They have evolved quills on their leaves that protect them from predators. They are formed from dead skin cells that have hardened into bark. Their tongues can now fold in on itself so they're not exposed to the elements. When the air starts to get cold, they use their photosynthesis to create stores of sugar for their fat cells found all throughout their bodies. The males have evolved a specialized gland in their heads made of brown fat cell that is filled with blood vessels to generate heat, thus keep it's head and reproductive organs at optimal temperatures during mating season. Every year around the middle of winter, they will mate with one another and then huddle in mass together to keep them and their eggs warm. Females pick the males with the largest head glands, because that means they have a lot of fat stored so they can waste energy for the display. They will lie on their eggs until they hatch, which takes about 1 month. The males do this and will not eat throughout, while the females go out and collect as much food as possible. When the egg hatches, the mother will regurgitate sugars to fed them both. The young grow fast and are independent by 6 months.