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Sciurok (Potamolagoides sciurus)

Creator: Ethos
Ancestor: Hoppok
Habitat: Ethos-Zorcuspine Temperate Watershed, Darwin Temperate Savanna
Size: 30 cm long
Support: Exoskeleton (Chitin), Endoskeleton (Aragonite)
Diet: Herbivore (Darwinblades, Purpleblade, Riparian Purpleblade, Polyblade, Featherblade)
Respiration: Active (Unidirectional Lungs)
Thermoregulation: Ectotherm
Reproduction: Sexual (Ovoviviparous)

Sciurok emerged from a population of vagrant Hoppoks that followed the Zorcuspine River upstream and became genetically isolated. Now firmly established in the temperate zone, Sciuroks can be found in moderately-sized groups on open uplands near waterways. These habitats are rich in their primary food source, Purpleblades and their herbaceous relatives. Its forelimbs and claws are more robust, allowing more impressive burrows. Its exoskeleton has fewer sharp edges due to its burrowing habit, and cryptic coloration helps it blend into its habitat. Eyespots on the rump can momentarily confuse predators as to which side they are approaching, while the fins further confuse and intimidate when fluttered. These fins are also used in sexual selection. Like its ancestor, Sciuroks are ovoviviparous and have an erect posture supported by "vertebrae" under the exoskeleton. Its lifespan is about 30 years.

Burrows are shared by family groups consisting of both parents and 2-4 offspring from the past 2 years. Depending on the substrate, they may be over a meter deep with 1-2 entrances. During rare prolonged cold periods, Sciuroks will cover burrow entrances with vegetation, reduce their activity, and occasionally dig for roots until weather improves. When danger is detected by an adult, it will stomp its hind legs and flutter its fins for bouts of 5 seconds to alert others nearby and intimidate potential predators. Family groups prefer to dig their burrows within 20 meters of neighboring groups. As many as 10 burrows can occur in the same field, though offspring leave the area after 2 years and adults will leave for new territory if theirs is too crowded or food is depleted.

This post has been edited by Ethos: Mar 1 2023, 08:56 PM

Huh, you’re about the last person I expected to make an arthrothere. I like it!

Also, good touch including the lifespan. That said, it could technically be longer with this being an ectotherm (although maybe you’re taking into account deaths by predation, but I don’t know)

QUOTE (Cube67 @ Feb 20 2023, 12:05 AM)

Huh, you’re about the last person I expected to make an arthrothere. I like it!

Me too! I wanted to give it at least 1 try, its definitely a lot harder for me than flora. Thanks!

QUOTE (Cube67 @ Feb 20 2023, 12:05 AM)

Also, good touch including the lifespan. That said, it could technically be longer with this being an ectotherm (although maybe you’re taking into account deaths by predation, but I don’t know)

Maybe I'll bump up the lifespan to 20. I'm not basing it on anything in particular.

“purpleblade” Purpleblades. I’m pretty sure it’s not an unusual grammatical construction.
“ sciurok is” Sciuroks are.
“vertebra”: Can you elaborate on that? Is it like a spine?
The planet is very warm, given it lacks ice caps. Then again, this is a small ectotherm, and even temperatures above freezing could be a hindrance.

"Purpleblade" here seems to be singular because it's referring to the species. Then again, I guess either pluralizing it or adding "the" might make more sense here.

QUOTE (Coolsteph @ Feb 22 2023, 11:06 AM)

“purpleblade” Purpleblades. I’m pretty sure it’s not an unusual grammatical construction. “ sciurok is” Sciuroks are. “vertebra”: Can you elaborate on that? Is it like a spine? The planet is very warm, given it lacks ice caps. Then again, this is a small ectotherm, and even temperatures above freezing could be a hindrance.

Corrected, but not sure I really can elaborate on the vertebrae- that is pretty much the extent of description in the last few generations. I'm hesitant to extrapolate on basic internal anatomy that isn't changed from the ancestral state.