Basteo

There are multiple breeds of this animal. Though they all share a similar quadrupedal physique, the build of an otter or other such aquatic mammal, and a long, fish-like tail, they very wildly in adaptation methods used to exist in their environments.

Basic Information

Anatomy

-The Sea Lantern breed of Basteo has very little hair, almost to the point of having none at all. Its skin is very thick, and covers a layer of blubber like a seal's. Their skin is a dark green-blue, though there are phosphorescent patches of yellow fur on its back and paws. Like a sea otter, sea lantern Basteo sleep by floating on the surface of bodies of water, where they get their air as well. Their lungs are incredibly strong, and can hold a breath for approximately one and a half hours. They use this time to dive to the sea floor, often exploring into trenches. Around their neck is frill made up of the same phosphorescent material as the patches on their body, which shines bright enough for them to seek out deep sea prey and bring it back up to the surface. Their tails have three fins, and are a dark red color. They can flash their frills to blind other creatures, but it can cause rashes and burning if used too frequently, irritating the skin -Ocean Tank Basteos are a much chunkier breed than their sea dwelling cousins. They lack the patches of phosphorescence, but share thick blubber and have a fine layer of hair. They are a light blue in color on their stomachs, and a dark blue on their backs. They are the largest breed of Basteo, at least double in size to the second largest breed, the sea lantern. They also lack their cousin's frill, but their tails have a similar three fins. What they do have is a sort of armadillo-like plating that covers their heads and upper jaw, like a mask or helmet. At the top of this facial plating, the keratin hardens further and forms three horns, which the ocean tank uses to gore prey and competition alike. Because of the additional weight of the keratin plating, the ocean tank's size is made up of as much muscle as it is fat.

Ecology and Habitats

-The sea lantern will float freely throughout the water for most of its life, simply eating and sleeping without ever settling. They will only live in bodies of water with trenches or caverns at the floor, and so most lakes are out of the question -The ocean tank will usually live on beaches in colder climates, like seals and sea lions

Dietary Needs and Habits

-Sea lanterns adapted to hunting in trenches because their light allowed them to seek out prey while avoiding more dangerous creatures, and because of this, for the approximate hour they have to hunt, they are an apex predator. They will eat as much as they are physically capable of before running out of breath, and return to the surface, where they will sleep off their meal -Ocean tanks will often team up to go after large kills, sometimes even seeking out and killing whales. They use their muscles to drag kills back to shores, where they will take turns eating, and protecting their kill from scavengers and challengers

Genetic Descendants

• Cavern Cleaner Basteo