Anaho Island

Anaho Island is an island a hundred miles off the coast of Baja California.

Geography

The Anaho Island Desert lies in the center of the island and reaches out to the western coast. Recieving plenty of mist and sea fog from the ocean provides this desert with enough moisture to allow vast quantities of vegetation to grow.

History

Anaho Island was formed sometime in the Oligocene Epoch, 30 million years ago, when volcanic eruptions lifted the seafloor above the surface. Over the next 30 million years a variety of animals washed up on the island and evolved into new forms. The Island's unique and dangerous fauna managed to prevent any long-term human habitation on the island. It was discovered by Europeans in 1844, the crew of the ship landed on Anaho's Northern Shore and they intended to make a camp there. They were quickly chased out and many of the men were killed, when a creature attacked them.

The island remained unexplored for 120 years, until a young Thaddeus Greene, having just secured a contract to make his documentary series 'Mysterious Habitats with Thad Greene', proposed that the first episode of his series be about the island he had heard so many legends about. In 1962 Thaddeus set out for the island with his camera crew, he made his way across the entire island on foot and spent a month documenting the various new species he found, even capturing many of the smaller species to bring home with him to the Green City Zoo.

Wildlife

The coastal waters of Anaho Island are frequented by creatures like Bald Eagles, Sea Otters, California Sea Lion, Guadeloupe Fur Seals, Sea Turtles, Great White Sharks and the incredibly rare Vaquita

The surrounding Kelp Forests are home to Garibaldi Damselfish, Black Abalone, California Moray, Pacific Sardines, Giant Sea Bass, Kelp Bass, Opalescent Nudibranchs, Bat Rays, and Spanish Shawl Nudibranchs

Abyssal Eurypterids can be found in the deeper waters off the Western Coast of the island

98% of Anaho Island's Fauna is endemic to the island, with entire families and even orders found nowhere else on Earth.

The fauna of Anaho Island specifically the presence of Invertebranurans, Frogbats and Guppikeets is a puzzling mystery as these groups are only found here, in Norman Lakes National Park and Greenhorn Island, though fossil evidence from sites like the Devil's Ranch and Skull Island shows these groups were far more prevalent earlier in the Cenozoic and must have gone extinct elsewhere making Anaho a time capsule of sorts for the native animals.

Mammals

Didelphomorpha

Octopossums (Exossobrachion sp.) - Octopossums are the only marsupials native to Anaho Island. Octopossums have no bones in their forelimbs, instead they have four tendrils, similar to an Octopus’s tentacles that they can move freely, though not as strong. Octopossums are slow and sloth-like, hanging above a water-source by one pair of tendrils and feeding themselves with the other. Their almost spherical bodies make swinging and throwing themselves from branch to branch easy for their weak tentacles. When approached by a predator an Octopossum will drop from the branch it is in and land (hopefully) in the water-source below, it will then inflate its lungs, stomach and gut with the surplus of digestive gasses to allow it to float on the water as well as to appear bloated. On its stomach usually hidden by fur when not bloated there are patches of skin and glands that give the appearance and scent of a sickly, rotting corpse which most predators avoid. An Octopossum can stay in this position for about an hour before the gasses in its lungs start to give the animal trouble, but predators seldom stay around long enough for this to happen. The Octopossum will release the gas, causing the immediate area to smell even worse than it did before, before swimming back to shore and climbing back into the relative safety of the trees. Octopossums always smell bad, and are often swarmed by flies and fleas. Most Octopossums feed on Fruit, nuts, leaves, fungi, soft plants and invertebrates, but others feed on things like sap, honey, small animals, fish, and one species subsists almost entirely on blood! The Vampiric Octopossum is an athletic, vicious hemophage that attaches itself to large animals, burrows its head deep into the flesh of the animal and gorges itself on blood. When burrowed inside of the animal, the Vampiric Octopossum leaks a pus-like fluid and secretes the scent of rotting, necrotic flesh. In the hopes that creatures will not pick the animal out of its host. Octopossums generally weigh about 7 lbs, live around 10 years, and can have about 13 infants in a single litter. About 50 species are known to live on the island.

Cingulata

Armor Rat (Armadillomys socialis) - ArmorRats live like Meerkats in colonies, they dig complex tunnel systems and they eat insects. They are 3 feet long though most of that is tail. They use the spiked tip to defend themselves from predators. The spines on their back are keratinous and constantly growing, but often break off during everyday activities. They are used for thermoregulation, along with their ears. They aren’t very intelligent as such their colonies are very loose in structure often with every ArmorRat acting for itself. They are a common prey animal in the Sonoran Desert regions.
Dillo Pig (Armosus armata) - Dillopigs are well armored omnivores that feast on Cacti, roots, insects, carrion and just about anything else they can get their grubby little snouts on. About the size of an average wild boar, these Xenarthrans are a common sight in the desert. When these herbivores come across a predator, they flatten their sensitive ears, dig a shallow hole and bury themselves, leaving only armor exposed. This thick bony hide is even too much to handle for the mighty Hawkatoo to handle, though an experienced individual is adept at working around this. DilloPigs carry leprosy and as such Anaho Island Researchers are advised to stay away from these creatures despite their relatively tame and friendly demeanor. DilloPigs live around 18 years and can give birth to up to 8 babies in a litter and achieve sexual maturity at about a year and a half.

Chiroptera

Arachno-Stalker (Arachnopus horridus)
Gibbonbats (Hylobateptera sp.) - A group of small bats, the largest species reaches only about 5 lbs, that have abandoned flight to instead navigate the canopy by brachiating like the gibbons of Southeast Asia, being able to maneuver with near unmatched speed and agility. Gibbonbats are primarily frugivores but won't stick their noses up towards insects or carrion. Social groups consist of a single male with up to 15 females. Females give birth to a single infant, which clings to their mother’s chest or back. The babies stay with their mothers for 2½ years, after which males will go out on their own, while females stay with the family until sexually mature at which point they will go off to find a male of their own. GibbonBats can live to be around 40 years old but this is rare, as forest predators often take them before they reach old age. Gibbonbats are found throughout the island from the eastern subtropical rainforests to the western sequoia forests. There are 27 known species
Skull-headed Bats (Necrofaciops sp.) - these tiny Mountain bats, the largest species having a wingspan of only 2 inches, are named for the leathery folds of skin on their faces which resemble skulls. These folds improve the animal’s echolocation abilities whilst also protecting them from the stingers of the bees and wasps they steal honey from. Each species has a different, bizarre arrangement of folds, though internally there is little difference. Fascinatingly each species only predates on one or two species of bee or wasp, as such there is no competition between the species which can often be seen nesting together during the day. there are 151 known species.
Tatterwing (Scissapteros inanis) - Tatterwings are the terrifying top predators of the high mountains, with a wingspan of 4 feet and weighing up to nine lbs as adults. Though born with the ability of flight, Tatterwings have frequent intraspecific fights which often leaves an individual’s wings tattered and torn forcing the animals to spend the rest of their (usually short) lives earthbound. Though with robust limbs, sharp claws and grasping talons they can do just fine walking and climbing through the mountain forests. Researchers have described the vicious bats as ‘the offspring of a Honey Badger, Tasmanian Devil and Satan himself’. They have little to no fear of anything and will attack human beings without hesitation.
Thumb-headed Bats (Pollicecephalus sp.) - these comical chiropterans are named for their noses which bear a striking resemblance to a human thumb. Most species average at only 4 or 5 inches of wingspan. Adding to their funny looks many species of Pollicecephalus have lopsided or asymmetrical faces! This bizarre appearance gives them extraordinary echolocatory abilities and as such have completely lost their eyes. Cunning predators of smaller Skull-headed Bats, gliding frogs and flying insects, their clicks and chirps are actually in the range of human hearing allowing them to recite beautiful nocturnal symphonies for any travelling explorer. There are known 45 species.

Birds

Psittaciformes

Hawkatoo (Psittatyrant gigas) - The Hawkatoo is a deadly predatory parrot descended from Anaho’s original Parrot stock. Outwardly the creatures appear very similar to their ancestors, though are much larger at about 500 lbs. Due to their size they are flightless. Hawkatoos are highly intelligent as well analogous to their ancestors or 3 year old children. As such they are capable of complex communication, problem solving and are incredibly curious. Hawkatoos are desert and grassland predators. Their main method of dispatching prey is using their enormous beaks. Their bite force is around 3,500 pounds per square inch, able to make short work of the heavily armored Armadillos they prey on. Hawkatoos have also been observed feeding on cacti occasionally. Their intelligence combined with deadly weaponry has caused the destruction of many Anaho Island Terrestrial Research Vessels. Hawkatoos live in small family groups of around 4 to 8 individuals, but they only hunt either alone or in pairs. Their raptorial toe claws are not for killing as one would be left to believe, rather they are used for manipulating objects that their large beaks are otherwise too unwieldy to do efficiently. Their feet are zygodactyl and still manipulatory and most of the weight is born on the outside forward facing toe, which has become greatly enlarged Male Hawkatoos use their crests to attract females who are generally larger than them and will perform elaborate courtship dances involving their not yet atrophied wings and cockatoo like head crests in the early spring. Females lay about 3-4 eggs in large bowl-like ground nests which take about 54 days to hatch. Hawkatoos are fantastic parents spending almost all available time with their infants or catching food for them. The children are then chased off once they reach maturity at around age 2. Though males are sometimes permitted to join their parents' flock if there is an available unrelated female. Hawkatoos are long lived with some specimens able to reach upward of 55 years old in the wild

Icterid Passerines

Gracklutton (Omniphagus psittacophilus) - Grackluttons are annoying little birds with tough friends. They have formed a symbiotic relationship with the Hawkatoo, following them to scavenge off kills in return for cleaning their feathers. Grackluttons will also almost always nest with or at least near a Hawkatoo group, often keeping an eye out for egg thieves. They are communal, almost never being seen without 15 others of their kind nearby. Grackluttons make an obnoxious croaking sound when agitated or excited, a good way to tell if Hawkatoos are nearby with food. It’s when they are silent, that one has to worry. Grackluttons are dark black in color with heavy iridescence. There is little to no sexual dimorphism. Grackluttons live for about 11-12 years in the wild but can survive much longer in captivity. They reach maturity at around years old and can have up to 12 eggs in a clutch.
Polycephaloids (Polycephalornidae sp.) - Researchers were initially stunned when they found two-headed birds roaming the future jungles, but as they soon found out the creatures were far more bizarre. Of course the birds do not actually have two heads, instead these chicken to turkey-sized ground birds, relatives of the Great-tailed Grackle, feature gigantic and elaborate wattles. For this biography we will be covering the Common Polycephaloid (Polycephalornis vulgaris), a good baseline representative of the group, of which 60 species are known. Polycephaloids bear great resemblance to the Curassows and chickens of the mainland, which is to be expected due to the two creatures occupying a similar niche. They feed on Insects, fruits, seeds, and ground plants, but will also eat carrion, small animals and eggs if given the chance. When foraging the Polycephaloid will inflate it’s wattle with air, similar to pumping up a pool toy. The wattle sticks upright, appearing to be alert and watching while the real head feeds. The organ is extremely detailed and realistic, being able to fool even human researchers for several months, until a specimen was captured. In addition to deterring predators if the disguise is seen through, the wattle can also serve as a last ditch effort to trick a predator by allowing a predator to bite the fake head a Polycephaloid can flee and live another day or raise both wattle and its real head to frighten off more timid predators. As one delves through the world of Polycephaloids things only get stranger, elaborate headgear, rivaling the strangeness and novelty of even the Birds of Paradise, as well as some species having up to a dozen life-like wattles writhing around their heads like a mythological Hydra. Polycephaloids are generally around the size of chickens or turkeys it some can be as small as button quails (such as in the mountain dwelling Leinerian Quail (Didecacoturnix hercules) or as big as moas (though this is only the case in the Giant Four-Headed HydraBird (Gigapolycephalud dinornoides) of the Western Sequoias. The Common Polycephaloid weigh in at about 6 lbs at most and can be up to 2ft tall. The species is sexually dimorphism with males being much brighter and more ornate and females being drabber and camouflaged. Polycephaloids mate year round, but most babies are born in spring. Males fight using a series of long curved spies on their feet, the victor gains the right to breed. A female will then lay about 5-10 eggs in a tree hollow or log, which will then be incubated for the next 6 weeks, the male will stay close to his females fetching them food and water, until the babies hatch’s and imprint on the mother. The father will stay close for a week or two defending his family until he is eventually drawn back into the jungle to search for more females. Chicks reach maturity at about 13 weeks at which point they separate from their mother and reach full size by 20 weeks. Members of the Polycephaloid family general live for about 25 - 30 years though are most often eaten before reaching half that age.

Turdid Passerines

Terraven (Pavoravis acer)

Reptiles

Gekkonidae

Flattekkos (Gastrogekkonidae sp.) - These lizards have abandoned their legs in favor of fringe covered slug-like bodies to assist in camouflage. They possess similar pads on their bellies that the ancestral geckos had on their toes. Flatekkos hunt small insects in a similar way to flounders, staying absolutely, perfectly still, camouflaged to the point of invisibility, waiting until a prey item crosses their path at which point they lunge forward and snap their jaws. The many species of Flatekko range in size from less than an inch long to up to 3 feet long and 5 lbs in weight, some trees can be found that are literally covered in the various species, waiting for food. Adult Flatekkos rarely move, living an almost sessile life, though if threatened, overcrowded or mating/laying eggs they can undulate their stomachs to slowly crawl. To find a mate males will croak loudly and females will give a series of rapid cricket or frog-chirps in response. The two will then slowly crawl towards each other, continuing their calls until they meet. The two will then split away, though often not far. The female will lay about 2-5 eggs which she secures to the side of the tree using a sticky secretion from her cloaca. The young hatch after about 120 days and as with most reptiles are fully self-sufficient and get no care from their mother. Baby Flatekkos are able to jump considerable distances using their powerful stomach muscles, to avoid their numerous predators. If a baby is lucky enough to survive its first few months of life it can expect to live about 14 years. There are about 1001 known species.
Jawed Geckos (Gnathogekko sp.) - about 700 species are known.

Dactyloidae

Hippogriff
Monkey Anole (Simiasaurus Agilis)

Testudines

Giant Brush Turtle (Aquas giantaltitudo) - a rather large semi aquatic Turtle. A rather large descendant from the much smaller Spiny soft shell turtle (Apalone spinifera) ancestor, the Giant brush Turtle spends most of its time in the water foraging on the many water plants with in its environment and only seen at night coming out of the water to browse on the leaves of the many large trees and scrubs in and around the lakes and rivers on Anaho Island. These large reptiles can look rather clumsy on their transitional stages from going in and out of the water to feed at night; but not of course being completely harmless and its sheer size could if it would so want to, crush any animal in its path that was smaller than it; this creature however also possess some large scissor claws with they can also help use to manipulate the food into their mouths when they extend their arms out; and as well as possessing a large and powerful beak for biting rivals and predators. Males and females don't differ in any way apart from the females only having a slight bit of coloration of blue markings on their underbellies, whereas the males are all brown.

Amphibians

Ranidae

Butterfly Poison Frogs (Papiliobatrachidae sp.) - These Anuran Gems of the Anaho Island Coastal Rainforest come in (almost) every color, shape and gimmick imaginable. Ranging in size from a fingernail to a basketball they are tiny and delicate. Eating miniscule invertebrates, these tiny creatures avoid being eaten by being incredibly poisonous, hence why they display their vivid colors and flamboyant patterns and appendages as well two fins on their backs that bear striking resemblance to the wings of a butterfly. These Poisonous amphibians are only predated on by a handful of Flatekko species. Breeding occurs in the early summer and late spring, during which time males will produce a variety of sounds from rhythmic clicking, alien shrieks and otherworldly howls, one species even sounds like a human scream of anguish, causing mass-panic in the first research team to discover such a creature. Like the Poison Arrow Frogs they resemble, Butterfly Poison Frogs lay their eggs in epiphyte plants, however the Papiliobatrachids seem to have a much easier time,. The young soon are able to leave the confines of the water and go off to find mates of their own, and hopefully soon, such small creatures are only able to live about 6 years in the wild. There are 340 known species
Cephalopodanurans (Cephalopodanura sp.) - An odd branch of Invertebranurans, that have, rather than become horrific eldritch-geiger hellspawn, converged with somewhat with cephalopods. The Cephalopodanurans have more developed skeletons than their relatives, especially their skulls which have re-ossified allowing for the development of a complex brain. There are both arboreal and terrestrial species, who in the absence of a skeleton move using powerful muscles and hydraulic-like arteries and veins. From the ancestral frogs' toes, up to 20 tentacles used for various purposes have sprouted, long and complex tongues also serve as an additional limb, though is mostly used to capture food. Arboreal species stay small reaching no more than 20 lbs, though their tentacle spans may reach up to 20 feet, terrestrial species are for more squat due to their generally larger size, the largest being roughly Tapir-sized, at 6 feet tall and weighing 800 lbs. The Terrestrial species are a favored prey item of many forest mega-predators, but they are elusive, observant and able to fight back if necessary using their tongues and tentacles that are not used for walking. Cephalopodanurans breed like most other amphibians, the females laying their eggs in water and the males fertilizing them, though some arboreal species monitor their offspring in large bromeliads, and once having metamorphosed will show parental care unheard of in 21st Century Amphibians. Arboreal Species may live to be 50 years old while the Terrestrials may only live have that amount of time. There are 33 known species
Frogbats (Anuranycteridae sp.) - 1162 species are known
Frogflies (Pteroanuridae sp.) - 2,800 species are known
Hooffrog (
Invertebranurans (Invertebrabatedae sp.) - Invertebranurans are perhaps some of the most degenerate lifeforms to exist on this planet. These Bullfrog relatives are characterized by having never formed proper bones during their larval stage instead featuring super flexible cartilage skeletons which usually consist of a handful of bones. To describe the diversity within this group would be an impossible task as nearly any horrific, grotesque and seemingly unnatural thing evolution could do with the amphibian body is proudly displayed in at least one species of Invertebranuran. Invertebranurans fill a wide variety of niches from insect-sized prey species to 40lbs predators, and are easily the most numerous creatures in the Anahoan Forests. about 650,000 species are thought to exist with an additional 60,000 species speculated.
Jellyphrogs (Cnidarianura sp.) - One of the four Invertebranuran groups found in the rainforest, Jellyphrogs are an evolutionary enigma, having completely lost all skeletal structure barring a loosely connected, cartilaginous skull and teeth in a few species. They are complex creatures and just as degenerate as their relatives, they move almost entirely by using their blood pressure like a hydraulic-system. Like the Invertebranurans going over all the species, or generalizing the group by picking just a single species would prove nearly impossible. Though they tend to be much larger, ranging from mouse-sized omnivores to 100+ lbs slime mold-like predators. Scientists estimate about 700,000 species are found on Anaho Island.
Liquid Toads (Viscoanura sp.) - One of the four Invertebranuran groups, Liquid Toads are completely boneless and are little more than water connected by sinew and loose tissue cutures. They slowly slither along the forest floor consuming rotting plants, algae and Fungi though if they come across carrion or manage to smother an unfortunate insect will gladly begin to digest it. Despite the Liquid Toads near defenseless appearance, very few animals eat them as they are quite simply put, incredibly unappetizing and offer almost no nutritional value. Liquid Toads don't so much breed as they simply fertilize eggs, Females will lay eggs as the move along in the damp undergrowth and if a male should come across a cluster of eggs he will fertilize them. Liquid Toads can live for up to 16 years. about 400 speciesare known to exist.
Metamorph (Metomorphosis xenoformis)
Neckbeard Phrog (Barbatucollum pinguis)
Spydr Glidr (Octopatagium discus) - This finger-length frog’s hyperextended digits effectively give the animal about 8 limbs, all connected via thin gliding membrane, using these membranes SpydrGlydrs can effortlessly move between the jungle canopy. When not gliding these frogs stay hidden by lying still on the sides of trees using their fringes of skin, oddly shaped limbs and mottled patterns to remain nearly invisible until the safety of nighttime arrives..

Plethodontidae

Abepadde (Pollicis sol) - The abepadde is a descendant of the arboreal salamander. It has evolved what seems to be molars or primitive versions of molars. These "molars" are flattened teeth that are raised by the gums and are used to grind lichens, fruits, seeds, and nuts. It also has sharp teeth at the front that are used to snag prey and eat it. It has a rather large head containing really strong jaw muscles. It's skin is very porous and it's sides have deep wrinkles. It's skin is like this because it needs more surface area to obtain more oxygen because it is a lungless salamander. They are great climbers and have opposable thumbs which makes the whole genus extremely special and they use these "thumbs" to hold down prey, grab food, and climb trees. They lay dense clusters of soft eggs at the tops of trees to keep them safe. They spend most of their time in the trees and they almost never climb off. They are extremely dependent on the coastal forests of Anaho because they have no lungs so they can only breathe in humid environments. They are solitary and only interact with others when they mate. They need forests with connecting branches to be able to meet other abepadde and to be able to reproduce. The origin of the name abepadde is from the Danish word Abe for ape and padded for amphibian. They grow from 2 - 3 feet long making them one of the largest salamanders. Males and females have the same coloration and they weigh up to 14 lbs. Young abepadde grow into adult stage extremely quickly and don't get any parental care. They live for up to 30 years and have a lower than average metabolism. They also have a prehensile tail.

Actinopterygii

Cyprinodontiformes

Frogbat Tall Grazer (Altoanuraphagus grandibrachion) - A Giant Descendant of Terrestrial Mosquitofish, these creatures are part of a group known as the Anurophages, characterized by having only two limbs, a ridiculously long neck and of course their huge size. Altoanuraphagus can reach 35 feet in height and can weigh 3,000 lbs. Due to their non tetrapodomorph biology, these creatures breathe through four spiracles at the base of the neck. As their name suggests the Frogbat Grazer specializes in feeding on the abundant swarms of Frogbats that sleep in the tree canopy, sticking their eel-like heads deep into a crevasse of hollow before feasting on the trapped flyers. The skin on the head and neck is tough and thick, with callouses and bony protrusions that allow it to execute this potentially deadly feeding style. The Frogbat Grazer is able to tuck its eyes inside of its skull similar to how the Great White Shark does, for protection. Frogbat grazers are more or less solitary, and are territorial as too many grazers could easily depleted populations. If two Grazers cross paths the bigger of the two will intimidate the smaller one into fleeing, as their light bodies are ill suited towards combat. Though if the two individuals are of the same or similar size the two will engage in a screaming match in which the loudest Grazer will win. During these displays the Grazer’s screams may reach up to 150 decibels. If the screaming doesn't work or if faced with a predator all Anurophages can use their extremely powerful legs to dish out kicks that can shatter bone. Though adult Grazers are only able to be threatened by the Shapeshifting Pantheropod, many other predators will gladly take advantage of a young or sickly individual. In the summer months Grazers will attempt to find mates, which they do by howling into the air, the sound can travel for miles and it is almost a given that it will reach the ears of another Grazer, though said Grazer being of the opposite sex in not as surefire. If a mate is located the two will find a body of calm water and wrap their necks around one another while the female lays her eggs and the male fertilizes them. After mating the Grazers will part ways and return to their respective territories. The young hatch into miniature versions of the adults and they have to grow fast to avoid being eaten, the infants double their weight every week for about a year at which point growth slows down considerably. If a juvenile is able to reach full size it can easily live for about 130 years.
Guppikeets (Orniichthys sp.) - 3000 species are known
Mantisfish (Ichthyomantis spp.) - 700 species are known
Megatall Frogbat Grazer (Giganuraphagus altus)

Esociformes

Muskelleagles (Esoxopterus sp.) - 33 species are known

Lepisosteiformes

Garial (Crocopiscis lepisosteus) - If you're ever going to swim in the waters of Anaho Island, be wary of the Garial. These giant croc-faced fish can reach a length of 10 feet and weigh 80 kilograms. Despite them being piscivorous, their long powerful jaws and needle-shaped teeth are sure to pack a punch. When food is scarce, the Garial will instead search for mammalian prey that happens to be near the surface of the water. The tail of the Garial is muscular and can paddle into a speed of 45 mph, faster than most fish. Spectacularly, the Garial is actually smarter than you might think, if a Garial has eaten a prey, it will come back to the exact same place remembering all the available food sources in that place. Garials are solitary and tend to stay away from eachother. If one Garial meets another, they will battle by biting, the battle will end if one has bitten the head of another. Females of this species lay highly poisonous eggs and leave them to develop. Once the infants hatch, they will have to search for a safe place to avoid predators. Garials could live for up to 40 years, with some living longer.

Perciformes

Fishepede (Ichthyopus scolopendrimimus) - An odd Perciform fish which scuttles across and under the leaf-litter of the forest floor using its modified fin spines, and feeding upon detritus and carrion. The Fishepede is one of the most important members of the rainforest ecosystem functioning as a cleanup crew for much of the waste that finds its way onto the forest floor. Fishepedes still retain gills and as such need to be in humid or moist conditions as well as having a protective, thick and slippery coat of mucous covering them, the easiest way to find a Fishepede is to simply wait until it begins to rain as many will emerge from their hiding places, most often, rotten logs, holes in the ground or puddles to forage without the fear of suffocating.. Fishepedes can swim fairly well and can be seen in their thousands in the aftermath of floods. Fishipedes can scuttle at around 15 mph, which in addition to their sharp spines and slippery skin make them one of the most difficult animals to catch. Reaching up to 2 feet in length, Fishepedes spawn during the rainy season at which time they congregate around water sources, there the females will lay their eggs and the males battle for the rights to fertilize them. The eggs hatch about 2 months later at which point the fry can already move on land but will stay close to the water sources they hatched from feeding on aquatic detritus until they are big enough to venture into the forest.

Crustaceans

Blattodea

Eurycotis hypoirritatus
Gigantoblatella horrificus
Gigantoblatella supremus
Megablattela carnifex
Megablatella irritatus
Neoperiplaneta aberranticus
Neoperiplaneta erraticus
Neoperiplaneta paradisea

Plants

Hawkatoo Apple (Psittacopuntia edibilis) - An unremarkable Opuntia species, nearly identical to 21st century genera. It is one of the Hawkatoo’s only plant based food items and is also edible for Humans. They have a sweet taste and are great in desserts like pies and tarts!
Hydra Cholla (Leneiria impenetribilis) - Hydra Cholla are a species of cactus that like to live in the airy loose soil of the desert. This affinity for loose soil has lead the species to often take root around ArmorRat colonies whose constant digging aerates the soil. Some Hydra Chollas will take root and spread their tendrils around an ArmorRat’s burrow opening. The ArmorRats armor lets the animal pass through the spiny limbs unharmed but predators will often have a difficult time getting past the spiny defense.
Anaho Island Sequoia (Sequoiadendron anahoensis) - a close relative of the mainland Giant Sequoia, endemic to the western coasts of Anaho Island.