Mosantous Tripoda Inflexes
On the world Mosant (world) there is a local pest, originally thought to have been derived from a species of cave crawler.
- 3 Eaters 25kg 8/7 none 5 teeth A0 F0 S1
They are bilaterally symmetrical, poikilothermic, heterotrophic consumers. They possess a rudimentary endoskeletal structure. They have a single gender and are live bearing. They have three clawed legs, each with three toes. The eponymous tripod consists of two forward limbs and a muscular hind leg for hopping and jumping. They have a smooth integument, with twin bilateral ridges of sensor spines running anterior to posterior along the dorsal surface. They can dig and tunnel but prefer human made tunnels. They burrow into subterranean shelters in search of food. They are blind to the visual light spectrum but their sensor whiskers along their backs detect, micro changes in air density making them acutely aware of vibrations. Their dermis has embedded thermal and pressure sensors. They have a jagged, sharpened proboscis like beak. They stab and kill prey with this hardened spikey growth. Thickened integumentary layers harden with recruited mineralized deposits from their diet. This is a mouth part and not a horn per se. The four long rasps then emerge to exploit open wounds to puncture and drain liquefied innards. They inject digestive enzymes and anti-coagulants. The wounds invariably become infected by the abundant and diverse microbes they play host to. These rasping tongues are gustatory, heat and olfactory sensors as well. They can detect and avoid most poisons.
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis), Captain, and Lead Naval Architect Ronald B. Kline, Jr. of the Imperial Navy