Placviscoslontus flotensis
G. flotensis evolved from G. shorus. Similarly to their ancestors, they lay their eggs on land, but this species lays in Zone F. The eggs are laid in batches of 6-10. In the juvenile stage, the eggs hatch and the first instinct of the small 6-8 inch Gigoslontus flotensis is to find some plants. As soon as they find plants like Lorensia sp., Plortatus sp., and more, they’ll eat until they’ve grown to 1 foot. This helps the young avoid aquatic predators and gather seeds and dirt on their shells. They stay close to plants in order to hide from predators, and eat seeds. They have the capability to breathe both water and air due to having a 2 part respiratory system, being able to switch between gills and lungs. These animals all group together in May on the shores of zone F to breed. During this time, while pulling themselves on land with their powerful pectoral fins, seeds and animals will “hitch a ride” on the animal’s shell. Since they are a filter feeder and float at the surface, this allows the seeds and animals to survive and flourish on the shells, creating micro ecosystems. G. flotensis cannot go into cold zones, but will travel to all tropical and subtropical waters. It doesn’t cost much energy to move about, as they simply float, and they can go up to three days without food. Occasionally they land on certain terrestrial zones, in which they’ll attempt to consume small amounts of plant matter in order to gain more energy. It’s energy draining to move on land, so these plants are a need. Adults are 5.5-7 feet. The dirt plastered to their back via their slime is the reason they have such vivid ecosystems. The slime is secreted through the shell.