Toxicauda caeruleum

Toxicauda caeruleum
Creator	D̜͙̟͉ìn̨̹o̬̗C̼̮̣͡óaͅt͜
Information
Status	Extant
Zones	Q
Roles	Base-Consumer
Classification
Genus	Toxicauda
Species	Toxicauda caeruleum
Evolution
Date	April 9th, 2019
Ancestor	Castorocauda equinoxum
Descendants	No results

This descendant of Castorocauda equinoxum has further improvised its defenses in response to the evolution of faster predators such as the biped runner Podovolare velox. Like its ancestor, Castorocauda caeruleum feeds exclusively on the bulbs and stems of Bulbus pansoma. This time, however, it has evolved a twist: a mild poison from these chemicals is released from pores in its skin that will make a predator feel somewhat sick after consuming it. The most common symptom is typically being hit with an upset stomach that can last for a day that is nonfatal but can feel uncomfortable and is memorable enough for inexperienced hunters to avoid trying to hunt it more than once or twice.

Along with the poison that is produced on the skin, the chemicals channelled to Castorocauda caeruleum's skin can also soak in the skin if not used and turn the white stripes a light blue hue. This also contrasts with the other dark skin patterns and predators will associate this color with illness, making Castorocauda caeruleum less likely to be hunted. Even so, these vermislontids will still flash their tails and spray fluids at predators chasing them as a smaller to no chance of being killed is still better than a default chance of being someone's next meal.

Castorocauda caeruleum matures within five (5) weeks of age and grows to seventeen centimeters (17 cm) in length. Upon maturity, males and females will find a mate and reproduce on the ground. Females will lay clutches of twenty (20) to thirty (30) eggs every two to three (2-3) weeks. Eggs are laid under Megaplortatus leaves on the forest floor, and hatch in another two (2) weeks. Surviving individuals by winter will instinctively bury their bodies beneath Megaplortatus leaves and hibernate once temperatures drop beneath twelve degrees Celsius (12°C) and will wake back up in the spring. They will then go on with their lives and will reproduce within two (2) weeks of awakening.