Axe-Slicer

The axe-slicer replaced the bladewalker.

It is now fully adapted for living on land. It is a predator, just like its predecessor, but it is different. Its color changed to completely blend in with the violetgrass.

The Axe-Slicers blade foot now modified into a very sharp axe-like weapon that slices flesh very powerfully. It stalks up to an antlerclaw or any other prey, and when it's the right time, it goes and slices the victim to death. When attacking larger animals, the Axe-Slicer's tail-grasper grasps the victim and holds on. The bottom finger is not very movable, but it can sink into flesh deep. After the victim dies, the serrated proboscis sticks into the flesh, and a newly developed tongue pumps the digestive juices in, and can suck up the resulting soup with it. The tongue can be retracted into the proboscis, or extended when feeding.

It has also changed in another way. The spines on the back and sides now begin to ossify and internalize, thus forming a primitive endoskeleton. The hind limbs have skin over most of the back claw, and it has split into two digits. The axe-slicer tends to be saltatorial when moving, using the hind limbs.

It has also developed spiracles at the sides of its tail, which are designed to take oxygen directly from the air, and bring it into the body. They pump the air into simple lungs, which are located right below them, and all of the spiracle tubes are connected to one trachea. This increased the size of the lungs.

Due to the endoskeleton, and the improved breathing method, axe-slicers grew another meter, reaching up to six feet tall.

When reproducing, axe-slicers migrate to Ichthy Swamp for a mass spawning event. After that, the young hatch and feed on whatever is available to eat. As they grow up, they migrate back to where their parents lived, the savanna.