#the moss was a great idea since it tends to be a hiding spot for the babies and its great for the others to latch on to

[dentist-brainsurgeon]

I've found a total of 7 babies so far, 6 on one side of the tank but in various spots so it's hard to get a decent picture of those 6 let alone any of em bc they're so tiny. Also I've really only seen the one snail, hopefully it stays that way! Not to mention I've had an explosion of the tanks micro fauna(cyclops, detritus worms, rhabdocoela) which I appreciate. As much as I dislike the algae buildup, everyone in the tank thinks otherwise since they're constantly munching away at it so I don't really get to clear it away as much as I'd like

[evolutionsvoid]

Temperate rainforests are certainly one of those ecosystems that is perfect for animals that like to hide. The abundance of plants and ferns on the forest floor, the thick layer of moss that is practically on every surface and, of course, the almost constant presence of mist that swallows the entire area. With all this, there are so many ways you can disguise yourself or use the environment to cloak you presence. I feel that is why these regions tend to get some spooky stories and legends surrounding them, as in the dark of the night these features make it easy to get lost or for your mind to conjure phantoms. But even daylight doesn't ease one's search for their bearings or hidden creatures! Their disguises are top notch, and the sheer presence of moss and vegetation practically blinds you to anything green colored. Thus, many animals take advantage of this easy hiding, using colors or the mist to hide from predator and prey alike. The Mossy Sleeper is one good example, as many people mistake them for rotting logs or overgrown mounds. This is also a nice safe example, because if you fail to spot this hidden beast, there aren't really any consequences. Same can't be said for other inhabitants here...

The many ferns and fast growing mosses do well to make this ecosystem gorgeous to look at, but it not only hides the fauna but also any of the unsightly things that may spoil the view. The carcasses of past hunts can be completely buried in the foliage, making it difficult to realize you have walked onto someone's dinner table. It is good for the predators who can hide the blood and bones in a smothering of vegetation so that prey doesn't catch on to a favorite ambush spot. It is not so great for us would-be prey in figuring out if we are in danger or not! And if you don't realize where you are standing and fail to spot the hidden predator, then you're in for a real nasty shock!

One of the major predators of the temperate rainforest is the Stun Tongue Newt, a large amphibian that hunts these misty lands. They are about eight feet long, but hide such size through camouflage. Their bodies are a mossy green, with bumps and frills to help break up their silhouette as they cling to trees or hide in brush. Since the air in these habitats is thick with moisture, they don't need to stick to water bodies to keep their skin wet. They can simply wrap their bodies around mossy tree trunks and sit completely still, waiting for prey to walk by. Folks are warned of these hiding newts, but some may scoff at such words when they learn their size. Though eight feet, a lot of that length is tail, and they are pretty light, with not a lot of muscle to them. So people get the idea that they could totally take on a overgrown salamander (some folk also think they could fight a bear, so stupid notions are common). However, what they don't realize is that this is not one-on-one. Stun Tongues hunt in packs of four to six. Oh also, why do you think they have that name?

Stun Tongues team up when taking down prey, staking out an area where all the pack mates hide in various spots to cover more ground. Though they spread out, it is always in an arrangement where at least two newts are in range of the victim at any time. That way it isn't left up to one newt to disable prey, which could easily fail against larger animals. Two can typically stun food long enough for the others to drop their guises and rush to the scene. Once the whole pack converges, it is lights out for the target. Why is that you may ask? Well, I probably should have mentioned it sooner, but it is because Stun Tongues use electricity to kill their prey. And take a wild guess how!

The famous weapon of the Stun Tongue is, indeed, their tongue. This appendage is impressive in its range and speed, able to fire from their maw in the blink of an eye! However, the real power comes from its ability to generate a potent amount of electricity, zapping whatever is at the other end of its tongue lashing! The tip of the newt's tongue has a wet sticky pad that helps latch onto prey, but also two sharp barbs that dig into flesh. These help anchor the appendage and lets the newt hold on while pumping the electricity into its target. Against small animals, the shock can paralyze or kill. Against larger beasts, however, it merely disrupts limbs and causes pain, as a single shock isn't enough. But that is why they hunt in packs! Stun Tongues swarm larger animals and latch on so that they can combine their juice and completely fry the target. The first two attacking newts aim to disorient prey and also bind them in place with their long tongues. Stun Tongues can anchor themselves to trees and other objects with sharp claws and barbed tails so that it is harder for electrified prey to run away. While big animals can eventually break free if given enough time, they usually aren't allowed such a luxury, as the other newts swarm to finish them off. Once prey is killed or sufficiently paralyzed, the Stun Tongues feast!

While their weapon is potent and their strategy impeccable, Stun Tongues are not the apexes of this land. They too must fear predators, but thankfully they are already good at hiding! But if their disguise isn't enough to fool, they may raise their bodies to expose a bright blue belly. This serves as a warning, so that predators know to back off. But if they refuse to take heed, the Stun Tongue has an answer to this greed. They possess nasal horns that can also channel this electricity, and they use it to jab attackers. A quick, powerful shock is usually enough to stun predators, giving the newt time to either rally the troops or flee. Some times they are capable of downing foes and eating them, other times they can only run for their lives. That is why it is said that if you see a hiding Stun Tongue, slowly and carefully walk away from the area. But if you see a running Stun Tongue, forget everything and follow suit. Sprint until you find something big and sturdy that you can hide under, like a fallen tree. There are some nasty fates that can occur in the temperate rainforest, but being eaten by the sky is certainly one of the worst...

Even though they aren't top of the food chain, Stun Tongues are feared hunters of the temperate rainforest. Folks who are not careful and attentive can easily be brought down by their shocking attack and then quickly devoured. Thus, it is recommended you walk these lands with heavy layers on, so that the tongues cannot make contact with flesh. If they can't sink their barbs into your skin, then you may be able to slip their grip. It also cuts down on how much of a shock you get, perhaps keeping you mobile enough to fight back or flee. It is also said that you should keep your nose alert, because there is a distinct odor whenever a Stun Tongue uses its weapon. It is a sharp bitter smell, compared to what is detected after a lightning strike. The odor may linger after a hunt, or them warding off a predator. If you get a whiff of that, stop and survey your surroundings, because it means there has been recent newt activity nearby.

Despite the threat they pose, their tongues are considered a delicacy and may be hunted to fetch such expensive meat. Folks use bait or sticky layers of electricity warding cloths to provoke an attack and trap their tongues. Afterwards, they may be severed with ease and a newt without their tongue is easy prey. However, it needs to be stressed again and again, as it appears to be a rookie mistake: if you are looking to harvest these stun tongues DON'T USE A METAL BLADE TO CUT THEM!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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"Stun Tongue Newt"

While real artists usually have nice thematic things all made up for the New Year, I fail every time with that. So instead, I just post some more recently drawn stuff from my posting lineup, something a little fresher than usual! It is a new year so here is a (somewhat) new thing!

Also this concept could totally be used for a MH pack hunting Fanged Wyvern.

[evolutionsvoid]

The Mossy Sleeper is a denizen of temperate rainforests, a habitat filled with rain, fog and moss. This species is not found anywhere else, as it relies heavily on these specific conditions to survive. It lives on the forest floor, where it hides and hunts among the ferns, shrubs and moss. Though it is large in size (with adults being eight to ten feet in length, and four feet at the shoulder), it can be a surprisingly difficult creature to locate! This is because the Mossy Sleeper is a master of camouflage! It cloaks itself so well that for the longest time people could not properly identify what type of animal it was! With bony growths, a quadrupedal gait, long tail, toothy snout and lazy lifestyle, many believed that the Mossy Sleeper was a reptile. While some may wonder why no one noticed the lack of scales, you have to remember that this species coats itself from head to tail with layers of moss, algae and debris! They shroud themselves in a cloak of vegetation, one that is so dense that it practically serves as an extra pelt! This kept observers from seeing their true bodies and from noticing the presence of hair. It turns out that this species is mammalian! Beneath all that greenery, the Mossy Sleeper has a specialized coat of fur that allows this incredible disguise to work. The outer most layer of hair is long and coarse, but it also appears to be absorbent. These factors cause the hair to quickly become tangled and damp, which serves as an excellent growth medium for algae and moss. The coarseness gives these growths something to hold onto, while the absorbent nature allows the hair to act as water reserves. The same goes for the patchy dermal armor that grows on its back and limbs. These too are coarse and porous, allowing all sorts of plant life to grow on top of them. In time, the Mossy Sleeper will become thoroughly coated in vegetation, with random debris becoming stuck in the growths for extra effect. By combining this green cloak with its slow lifestyle, the Mossy Sleeper can easily blend itself in with the surrounding landscape. The second part of its name should be a good hint at what speed this species lives on. Mossy Sleepers are quite lethargic and prefer to stay in one place for long periods of time. They can and will walk around, be they do so almost begrudgingly. A brisk walk can easily outpace them, as they slowly plod their way through the ferns and trees. What Mossy Sleepers really want to do is lay down on the ground and wait. They can sit in one spot for not just hours, but days and weeks on end. The near constant rain provides water, and their own veggie coat can provide food in a pinch. This shroud of moss and algae is what allows them to blend in with the rainforest floor. As they sit motionless, the growths shall reach the ground and they will become just like any other moss-covered log. Their bony growths further add to this effect, as their brown coloration and random shapes make them appear as branches and twigs. The growth of these protuberances are random and erratic, making it so that no two Mossy Sleepers will be identical. Their brittle consistency makes them a bit fragile, but these occasional breaks help change the Sleeper's silhouette over time. After laying and waiting for a few days, you will be hard pressed to pick them out of the landscape. Their breathing is quiet and they are great at remaining motionless. As some have said, you can only tell a Mossy Sleeper apart from a log when you wake up one morning and find that it has walked off! I can embarrassingly attest to this, as I too had a hard time tracking down a specimen. After hours of searching and coming up empty, I decided to take off my heavy pack and take a rest. I found a nice log to break at, and the spongy moss was almost as soft as a blanket! I laid on top to catch my breath and admire the glistening canopy above. I must have been pretty tired, as I apparently dozed off. I later awoke to an odd motion, as if I was bobbing down a river. Much to my surprise, it turned out my napping log was actually one of these creatures! My obnoxious violation of personal space must have irritated the Sleeper and it decided to move to a different spot. I couldn't believe my eyes! I was riding atop the very thing I sought for! I did my best to remain calm and not startle the poor beast, and eventually it came to a rest. From there I took my leave and dismounted. I think I stood there staring at the creature for hours, just so blown away by what just happened. It was a truly amazing experience! That was until I realized that my backpack and supplies did not make the trip with me. I had to retrace its steps to find my gear before dark fell or some pesky critters nabbed my food!

Speaking of food, the Mossy Sleeper is an omnivore. I would say it is an opportunistic omnivore, but that would imply too much energy and motivation. They are more like a "I will eat whatever happens to be around my face" type of creature. Ferns, fruits, nuts, rodents, lizards, insects and any other morsel is good enough for them. Their disguised bodies do well at fooling small critters, and they may dine on the creatures that try to use their bulk as a shelter. Though their large canines and horned carapace may give off a monstrous look, they are rather laid back and nonthreatening. I mean, do recall I accidentally slept on top of one! As for predators, the Mossy Sleeper has very few. Their disguise makes them difficult to find, both through sight and smell. Since they are coated in moss, debris and other crud, their own odor is masked. This same coat also serves as a means of defense. If something wants to run up and take a bite out of them, they will just get a mouthful of algae, moss and hair. The branch-like growths and brittle armor helps with this as well, taking the blow before it reaches any vulnerable flesh. With these layers, the Mossy Sleeper has time to retaliate, often striking with its heavy tail or taking a bite with its large fangs. Though their jaws are not super strong, they are capable of holding on for quite a long time. Their rather effective strategy is to simply grab hold with their teeth and then just sit there while the trapped beast tires itself out. Eventually their would-be attacker will regret its decision and seek to flee, at which the Sleeper will let them go. They will then limp off to lick their wounds, while the Mossy Sleeper claims its hard won nap. Though Mossy Sleepers are large and unique, they are often forgotten when it comes to the public mind. Funny enough, I believe it is its disguise that is to blame for this! Since they are hard to find or see, many tend to forget about them as they wander the rainforest. Even adding them to paintings or drawings can fail to garner attention, as their entire purpose is to blend in with the background. If you depict them resting and hidden, then you have a done a good job at representing them (though your audience may not notice). If you draw them up, obvious and mobile, though, you will draw the viewers eye but ignore the very thing that makes them interesting. It's a battle that is quite hard to win! The only real mention I have heard of Mossy Sleepers in the outside world is when I came across folk who wished to refer to these creatures as "Moss Dragons." I do not know their motivation for such a title change, but they were quite into the idea. I, however, was fully against it. The term "dragon" is already messed up enough as it is, and this species did not fit at all with the "Dragon Beasts." The only thing to come from this name change is to create the idea that this species is harmful or dangerous, and nobody wants that! Thankfully, the world chose not to care about this attempt, and I haven't heard a thing from it since. What I have run into, though, are local cultures that have given the Mossy Sleepers a far more fitting image. Due to their green growths and peaceful lifestyle, they shown as emissaries of nature and spirits of the earth. Through them, one can focus on their oneness with the natural world and seek to blend in with the air, earth and trees. In some cases, the Mossy Sleeper is seen as a creature of dreams. While it lays and rests, it is said that it moves on to a different plane, where it thrives and seeks. Those who are more attuned to the realm of dreams may be visited by this spirit, and it shall guide them to its hidden, sleeping body. There bthey may learn from the creature and further find themselves. It makes me wonder: what if you accidentally use one as a bed? Does that mean anything? Probably that I am a fool, but I hope for a more dignified answer.   Chlora Myron Dryad Natural Historian --------------------------------------------------------------------- The world needed some more mammals and I was happy to oblige!