Loam leopard

Despite the name, a loam leopard isn't a type of feline or leopard. This creature is in fact not even an animal, but a type of carnivorous plant that migrates based on the seasons.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Despite being a carnivorous plant, the loam leopard has the same structure as a feline predator species. It has four limbs allowing it quadruped movement, and all the other structures associated with a leopard from head to tail.
The exception to this is that the plant doesn't have an internal skeletal structure like a mammal. So the 'teeth' the loam leopard displays aren't actually bone, but wood growth the plant uses to latch onto its prey.
Once caught, the creature exudes a sticky, glue like saliva onto its prey, holding it fast. The more the prey struggles the tighter the glue holds. In addition, the glue contains a powerful tranquilizing narcotic to stun the prey into submission.

Genetics and Reproduction

Loam leopards, being plants, bud in spring, shortly after hibernation when in a pack with other loam leopards. Each loam leopard can have as many as five to seven seed pods.
Each seed pod takes four weeks to mature, at which time they are deposited in a thick deposit of peat. After this, the seed pod will grow over a eight week time period into the recognizable loam leopard form.
Following a loam leopard's emergence from a peat bog, the new loam leopards follow their parent until they acclimate to their new environment. During this time, the young develop their prey trapping skills and glue saliva through assisting in ambushing prey as a pack. After a subsequent eight weeks, the young disperse, though will form hunting territories not far from the originating parent.

Ecology and Habitats

Loam leopards are commonly found in wide expanses of brakenland savanna with ample supply of peat deposits, water and sunlight.

Dietary Needs and Habits

In addition to sunlight and water, loam leopards feed on the local amphibians and large insects in brakenland regions. Due to the size of a loam leopard, it isn't unheard of for a loam leopard to attack travelers. Though recorded incidents are rare, as loam leopards prefer amphibians and insects.

Biological Cycle

Loam leopards do change with the seasons. As they prefer a brakenland savanna, they are cold averse.
During spring and summer, they are the most active. At those times, they roam a given region they have claimed as their 'territory'. During the fall they migrate until they come together in a 'pack' for safety and warmth. Then they hibernate during the winter.
It's in the spring when a loam leopard buds to form its offspring.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Loam leopards 'see' shades of heat and cold. They are drawn to heat sources for warmth or to locate a potential food source. The creature's eyes are a combination of what appears to be eyes along with the constantly moving tendrils that comprise the creature's whiskers.
The creature's ears do react to sound but its as much the vibration as it is auditory reaction.
Loam leopards, while their feet are paw-like, this is to allow them better contact with soil when they settle in and 'plant' themselves to rest. They don't have claws, but instead rely on ambush hunting tactics and their own weight and elastic-based strength from the vine like structures forming their 'muscles'.

Scientific Name

dionaea pardus