Castorocauda equinoxum
This flightless ground-dwelling moxipod grows to seventeen centimeters (17cm) in length and has started to specialise and feed on the bulbs and stems of Bulbus pansoma that extend above the ground, as there was not much competition for this food source. Due to their ancestors being vegatation-eating detritivores, their diet could be sustained on the matter of the Bulbus polyphs. Subsequently, their bodies easily developed a tolerance to the weak necrotic enzymes released by the Bulbus pansoma. The accumulations of these enzymes are not highly harmful to keep and are actually used for something much different...
Castorocauda equinoxum is classified in a new genus as it has started to develop a thin paddle-shaped appendage at the end of its tail, used for warning predators after showing it off and before the "threatened" moxipod unleashes a spray stored in a newly-formed gland in the bladder (no poo this time, sorry fellas) onto the unfortunate predator's face. Although this spray is not poisonous, it is highly distasteful and is aided by the chemicals in Bulbus pansoma, and can irritate the eyes of its foes.
Castorocauda equinoxum has highly contrasting colors, which work to confuse predators, giving it a threatening look and giving it time to react. There are five nearly-white stripes on the back, with some patterning of the stripes connecting on the "wings" and on the tail paddle for added effect. The rest of the body is an extremely dark brown in color. The spray is not highly expendable, so the Castorocauda equinoxum will try to warn and scare off its predators before having to spray.
Castorocauda equinoxum matures within five weeks of age. Upon maturity, males and females will find a mate, and reproduce on the surface of the ground. Females can store the sperm of males, and will lay clutches of twenty (20) to thirty (30) eggs every two (2) to three (3) weeks. Eggs are laid under the leaves of various vegetation on the forest floor, and hatch in another two weeks.
Individuals who happen to survive will instinctively bury their bodies beneath Megaplortatus leaves and hibernate in the winter once temperatures drop beneath twelve degrees Celsius (12°C) and will wake back up in the spring. This method ensures that they will not starve to death in the winter when food is more scarce and is harder to find.