Spinemander

The spinemander has split from its ancestor and spread throughout the river systems of the Dixon-Darwin supercontinent. Significantly more aquatic in lifestyle than its ancestor, they spend long periods of time undulating along the muddy river bottoms, searching for food with their specialized sensory tentacles which are filled with taste receptor cells. With a broader diet than the serpmander, they readily hunt the smaller species of toadtuga and scuttlers they share the rivers and swamp with. Behaviorally, there is some similarity between themselves and their cousin, the serpungo.

A row of spines and thickened scutes adorn and protect their backs, keeping them safe from predators, which can also include larger members of their own species. Another adaptation is an increase in the musculature along the sides of their bodies. These cells form a very primitive system of electrocytes, allowing spinemanders to produce a weak electric field around them, which helps them to detect potential prey hidden within the murk of their. Combined with their sensory tentacles, finding food and even mates proves to be only a minor problem, even with their worsening vision.

Mating occurs on land, whereupon males and females will form a mating ball composed of multiple individuals, typically with a ratio of 10-to-1 in regards to gender. Upon completion, females will gestate over a dozen or so young for roughly six months before giving birth to live young. These offspring will immediately set out into the world with no further aid from their parents, and after absorbing their internal yolk sacs in a day or so, will begin to actively hunt for prey. Should they survive, they will reach maturity within a year and will repeat the process the following one.