Guddrith

Basic Information

Anatomy

Swamp-dwelling evolution of the sea turtle. They retain flippers rather than arms, which they use both to swim through bodies of water, and to push themselves along muddy land masses. They have the average coloring of a sea turtle, with a yellow-tinted white body and limbs, and a brown shell, though the bottom of their shells are a pale pink. They also have much longer tails, which are flat horizontally, like a beaver's. These are used to help them push through mud so that they can traverse land better, and to swat away predators. They have beak-like mouths and large eyes. They are rounder than a typical sea turtle, and are about the size of a basketball.

Genetics and Reproduction

Eggs are laid once a year by females, typically 2-3 at a time. These eggs are laid in soft mud banks at the edge of the swamp, and are checked on regularly by adults. Eggs are typically all laid in the same location by a habitat's community of Guddrith, and are monitored communally.

Ecology and Habitats

Guddrith live primarily in swamps, marshes, or at riverbanks. They will swim at the surface of water when at rest, but dive down into the muddy depths when in search of food. Their tails help them to slide over and push through mud, and the act of moving through the mud creates troughs that other Guddriths will follow-this can end up creating small streams and canals in swamps.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Guddrith are omnivores, though they favor greens like water weeds and moss. They will never turn down an earthworm, water bugs, or small fish if they can get their flippers on any, but meat is not actively sought out by them.

Biological Cycle

Throughout the spring and summer, they are mainly herbivorous, but when the colder months come and plants begin to die out, they will go into a near-hibernation state, slowing their breath and heart rate down, and only eating when they absolutely need to, usually eating small fish.