Squatshroot: Difference between revisions
m
→top: clean up
m (→top: clean up, replaced: |name= → |name = , |week= → |week = , |generation= → |generation = , |creator= → |creator = , |image= → |image = , |ancestor= → |ancestor = , |habitat= → |habitat = , |size= → |size = , |support= → |support = , |diet= → |diet = , |respiration= → |respiration = , |thermoregulation= → |thermoregulation = , |reproduction= → |reproduction = , |parent= → |parent...) |
m (→top: clean up) |
||
Line 22:
The squatshroot evolved stronger front legs for tunneling and a more compact body to help it push through dirt more efficiently; in addition to these features, the squatshroot evolved bigger lungs that hold more air, along with ears and nostrils that are able to seal themselves shut, keeping dirt out. Coincidentally, these adaptations for subterranean living also help the squatshroot with the amphibious part of its lifestyle; specifically, the enhancement in breath-holding and the stronger front legs also help with swimming. But to further enhance the swimming, the squatshroot has webbing on its toes that help with paddling through water. It has also lost its relationship with [[shoveltail]]s and prefers to feed on their eggs when they get the chance to seize them.
The
Furthermore, much like the fragorishroot, its brain has a high neuron density; this means that despite being smooth-brained, the squatshroot is considerably more intelligent than an organism of its size and similar brain shape should be. This is especially demonstrated through the usage of twigs and sticks as tools to help them find food hiding in the sediment and murky water, since while they are reasonably adapted for swimming, they can still struggle with finding prey in murky water. In order to acquire said sticks, the squatshroot has to crawl out to the surface for a period of time and find sticks of the right length, weight, and sturdiness. Once it has found the stick, it holds it in its mouth and it moves it around to feel for any prey in the murky water or to disturb any prey hiding in the muck without risking its own face. This stick search is also when the squatshroot is especially vulnerable to predators like larger [[ornitheres]], the [[passarurso]], the [[bobbysoxer]], and even rival males that will kill other young in order to replace them with their own young. In order to handle said predators, the squatshroot is more aggressive and will try to scare away its foe by raising itself up, bark loudly, and do a bluff charge to warn them to stay away. If the predator does not relent, the squatshroot will charge and bite down hard on any vulnerable areas it can reach to make sure said predator takes a hint to flee. If it cannot attack its assailant or if there is enough of an opportunity to escape, the squatshroot will speedily flee far away enough before it swiftly digs itself deep enough for predators to be unable to reach it. Mother squatshroots are extremely protective of their young and are much quicker to fight off predators than lone squatshroots.
|