Otoclodes

Basic Information

Anatomy

Otoclodes are bipedal, with six short limbs and long, noodly bodies. They have a birdlike beak and a toothless mouth on a head with no external ear structure and a long neck. Their upper two sets of limbs have four digits and the lower set - the feet - have three. They also have a semi-prehensile tail, usually no more than 3ft/1m in length, usually proportional to the height of the otoclode in question.
Their skin is soft but deceptively resilient and rubbery. Colour-wise, they range from a very pale pink through other red and orange tones to dark brown. Skin markings are almost universal, ranging from light spots and speckles to striking piebald patterns, which can be symmetrical or not. Tricolour calico markings are rare, but not unheard of.

Genetics and Reproduction

Otoclodes reproduce sexually by way of a male impregnating a female and lay eggs.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Historically, otoclodes and their ancestors primarily ate small arthropods, small amphibians and reptiles, eggs, and carrion, supplemented with plant matter. Modern urban otoclodes have a more omnivorous diet.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

Otoclode cultures tend to be lax about gender and many are/were gender-neutral or readily accept a range of genders and movement between them. In modern societies they usually default to a male-female system, though some communities still use traditional systems.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Otoclodes get on fairly well with pelamines and sascids. Some of the issues they do encounter arise simply from their differences in stature, and the accommodations and alterations to infrastructure that are/would be required to make interspecies communities comfortable for all three species. On the other hand, many find hammerhark-built communities easier to live in for this reason. Socially, they can rub shoulders with all three other sapients due to their tendency to be inexpressive and display behaviours perceived as rude or antisocial.

Lifespan

60-70 years

Average Height

1.75-2.25m

Average Weight

100-120kg