Butcharak
Taxonomy
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Ancestors and Descendants
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Creator: Bufforpington
Habitat: West Gemstar Temperate Beach, Gemstar Temperate Rainforest
Size: 25 cm Long
Diet: Paedophagic (Azuarrow, Azild), Carnivore (Palmarrow Gametophyte), Scavenger
Reproduction: Sexual, Eggs laid in tide pools
As competition on the temperate beaches of West Gemstar increases further, some species had to finally step beyond the swash-zone and penetrate deeper into the continent. The butcharak did this. It has developed internal water sacs with gills inside derived from atavistically redeveloped tubers. This allows them to store water, and travel deeper into the continent. However, they are still limited to water-laden environments- and places where prey is present. Thus, they ultimately followed the palmarrow's gametophytes into the rainforest and depths of the beach. Their senses have advanced further- as their eyes can now detect shapes. This drastically increases their hunting capabilities, and has allowed them to outcompete the hexarak on the temperate beach. With this eyesight, they are now capable of properly seeing prey and predators to a certain extent, allowing them to better coordinate attacks on prey and avoid predators with greater ease. Their soft olfactory spots have been replaced by four nostril-like organs. These are connected to the water sacs. Vaporized water keeps the olfactory sensors in the nostrils moist enough to work. In order to decrease water loss, these nostrils can be closed when out of the water- only being opened occasionally to take in scents. They primarily live on the outer parts of the beach, as they are not far from a large body of water, and the prey-filled swash-zone. They primarily feed on Palmarrow gametophytes. Two of their limbs are stouter and end in serrated, saw like claws. Butcharaks will dispatch their prey by simply walking up to it and cutting it to pieces with its forelimbs. The butcharak will dig burrows and eat large amounts of prey during the fall, and hibernate over the winter. This is due to the complete lack of food in the rainforest and beach. These burrows must be dug underwater- as they'd suffocate over the winter if their burrows were dug on land. Beach-dwelling butcharaks will dig their burrows in the shallows near the beach while those living in the rainforest will dig their burrows in ponds- if there are any nearby. However, such ponds are rare, thus, butcharaks will typically migrate to the beach. Those living too far inland and too far away from a pond will die from the freezing temperatures and lack of food. The butcharak's mating practices are similar to their ancestor's. Females use pheromones to attract males, and their eggs are laid inside of bodies of water. However, unlike their ancestors, they lack a larval form. This is due to the larva typically being slow- making them easy prey for adult butcharaks. Thus, they hatch into smaller versions of their parents- feeding on the smallest of larva and gametophytes until they are fully-grown.