Sail runner

This small animal is the only animal in the Crystal Sands to have actual eyes. Not only that, but it has a symbiosis to back up their tiny frames.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Small and lizard-like, they are quite cute to most sources. An extension of their shoulder-blade gives them their unique look. This sail is used for communication and thermoregulation.

Genetics and Reproduction

There are males and females of this species. Each Walker's colony only has one male. If another male climbs on, he is quickly driven away by the females and male alike. They breed like normal lizards, and in a few weeks, eggs are laid In the large skin folds of the Walker.

Growth Rate & Stages

When the young hatch, they are easily confused with an earth lizard. After a few days, the shoulder spine begin to grow and develop the webbing between the two spines. All male hatchlings are driven of to fend for themselves. They then find a walker, and fight off that male for the right to mate.

Ecology and Habitats

Some can stay on a single walker for their entire lives, others barely get to see the walker before being pushed out. When on the ground, they must be quiet yet fast to avoid capture. If they can't find a walker within a few months, they start to loose their sail until it's just a small crest, and begin to dig burrows.

Dietary Needs and Habits

While on the Walker, they sit around and eat parasites and other annoyances. On the ground, they eat whatever they can find, plants, meat, bug-like creatures, it doesn't matter. But either way, they are constantly on the lookout for predators.

Biological Cycle

In the burrows, they live and breed. Outside of the Burrow, they mainly search for food and water. During the hottest part of the year, they go into a deep sleep to pass it out. When they wake up, they shed their skin and new color patterns come off with it.

Additional Information

Social Structure

One male and many females make up a colony. If another male tries to push its way into the colony, the male will kill it to keep his colony and right to mate.

Facial characteristics

Their face is round and reddish orange in color. Their eight eyes are situated in small divots in the skull.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

All reaches of the Crystal sands, some even making it to the Neon Jungle, over the mountains.

Average Intelligence

The fact that they have a symbiosis proves they have some intelligence.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They have multiple eyes, and are somehow able to see in the blinding glare of the desert. They also have good hearing and smell. In addition to these, they also have electrosensory to feel things locations.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

They have a symbiosis with the Sand walker. They establish a colony on the back of the creature, and they are provided with protection while the walker gets pest removal.

Scientific Name

Solvit Humero

Origin/Ancestry

Probably, due to no fossils in the area depicting any similar lifeforms, drifted onto the desert on rafts of fallen branches or wood.

Lifespan

12 years on average

Conservation Status

Least concern, as they are symbiotic, they are rarely far from a Sand walker.

Average Height

2.5 feet tall for a sailed variant

Average Weight

1.8 lbs

Average Length

roughly 3 feet

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

They are mostly orange and browns, but the sail of males are commonly bright red or blue.