Mudwriggler
Taxonomy
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Ancestors and Descendants
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Creator: Bufforpington
Habitat: Datura Tropical Swamp
Size: 25 cm Long
Diet: Frugivore (Reedfern), Herbivore (Reedfern, young wavelilies)
Reproduction: Sexual, Eggs laid the gills of wavelilies
The mudwriggler has split from its ancestor and has moved into Datura Swamp. It has adapted to the brackish water of the swamp and has made its home just above the muddy bottom of the swamp. It possesses a long, eel-like body that is capable of weaving through the thick 'forest' of wavelily and reedfern stems and tethers Their color pattern reflects this lifestyle, consisting of grey and purple stripes meant to mimic said stems and tethers. They also can be found outside of the 'forest', dwelling in the thick patches of reedferns that thrive outside of the carpet of wavelilies. They specialize in eating the fruits of the reedfern, which are never in short supply due to the perpetual warm temperatures of the tropics, which allows the reedfern to reproduce year round. However, if fruit is ever in short supply, they will eat the leaves of the reedfern, as well as young wavelilies, as these wavelilies' chitinous shells haven't fully developed yet. Males are highly territorial towards other males, flashing its lights rapidly when a rival swims into its territory. If the male does not back down, the defending mudwriggler will attack the intruder. If a male comes across a female, he will try to court her by rhythmically flashing his lights while swimming in elaborate patterns. if the female accepts, the two will mate. The female's eggs will then be laid in the gills of wavelilies, making them harder for any opportunistic omnivores to find them. However, many eggs and fry are lost to rivacrushes. Males are polygamous, and will attempt to mate with females at any given opportunity.