The Billdad

A small creature similar to the duck billed platypus sharing many characteristics. Like the platypus the Billdad looks like a mix of animal's purt together. The billdad's looks like a cross between a beaver, hawk and a kangaroo.
It is slightly bigger than an average beaver, with long kangaroo-like hind legs, short front legs, webbed feet, beaver like tail, and a hawk-like beak. It has a very fast and powerful legs and tail to give it a quick and far jump. There are reports of billdads jumping 30 yards or more.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

The billdad is a semiaquatic mammal using its beaver tail and webbed feet to swim and can hold their breath for 15 minutes at a time. Also, like beavers the billdad has translucent eyelids that act like goggles allowing the billdad to see underwater as well on land.
The billdad is home on dry land but it will usually stay nearby freshwater such as lakes, streams, and rivers but will use their long legs to hop like a kangaroo to travel on land.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The billdad is an omnivore eating both meat and plant matter. The main food sources being insects' seeds and fish. A hunting behavior of the billdad is waiting by grassy areas with lots of insects. When a fish surfaces to try to eat a bug the billdad will jump over to it with astonishing speed, and smack its tail down hard enough to stun the fish, which the billdad eats soon after.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Billdads live in groups called colonies of 10 to 25

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The billdad is considered a delicacy especially when cooked in butter. Its meat is said to be very tender and flavorful roasted billdad is often sold and goes for a high price. As well Billdad's pelt is also valuable it being used to make winter and waterproof clothing. A hunter can make a good profit in hunting billdads but the fast, shy and elusive animals make them hard to hunt.

Lifespan

14 to 16 years

Average Height

3 ft to 4 ft