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Description
The Amblus is a small mammalian species that can be found in the fungal forests of the Underworld. It spends most of its time skittering up and down the massive stalks in search of food. The many branches and protuberances that are found on these stalks allows the Amblus to move from pillar to pillar, making it very rare for the creature to ever set "foot" on the ground. I refer to "foot" like that, because the Amblus has a rather interesting anatomy. Based on its appearance, many people compare it to a spider, with eight moving limbs and a set of pedipalps. The issue with that comparison though, is that these appendages are not actually feet or even limbs. In fact, they are actually fingers. To get a better understanding of the Ambli, one should instead compare them to their closest relatives: bats. If you have looked at a bat wing, you would see that it is made from greatly elongated fingers that are connected with a large, thin membrane. Just like its aerial cousins, the Amblus has really, really long fingers, but it has chosen to use them for walking rather than flying. If you look closely at the base of where the fingers attach, you will notice a greatly reduced hand-like structure, and even remnants of membrane from their ancient flying days! This means that the Ambli walk on their hands, rather than their feet! Their true legs remain folded in the back, only ever used to hang from branches or vines when they rest. It is when they sleep hanging from their feet that people can really see the similarities they share with bats, especially since the Amblus will wrap its fingers around its body as it dozes!

While it is alive and scurrying about, the Amblus will keep a nose out for food. Though people may be unsettled by its spider-like appearance, the Amblus is a herbivore, feeding entirely on fungal pods and fruit. Its finger-legs help it scale the massive stalks and scurry across the branching limbs, all while its nose sniffs out a meal. While the Amblus does indeed have eyes, these are greatly reduced and rarely used. Instead, it relies mainly on its nose for food and its ears for detecting predators. When a morsel is in sight, it shall devour it on the spot, or use its thumbs to rip it up and carry it back to its nest for later consumption. When it comes to manipulation, the Amblus uses its thumbs to do so, even sporting a special forked claw to help it grip and tear.

If a predator is heard or smelled while it is out and about, the Amblus will talk the running route. Its many fingers help it move quite fast, and its agility on the branches and networks of fungus make it a difficult quarry to catch. It will zip up and around stalks, or scurry upside down so that the pursuer has a hard time keeping up. If the predator does catch it or at least corner it, the Amblus will lash out with its fingers. Though they are climbing tools, the claws on the ends of these digits are quite sharp and can do some damage. That is why it is recommended not get too friendly with an Amblus, as their playful skittering and climbing is a lot less fun when they are doing it on your flesh. I unfortunately experienced more times than I liked, and it is not a pleasant experience. True, they do not mean to cause harm, but when you are constantly jabbed and prodded by their sharp fingers, you get a little irate. It certainly didn't help that my head resembles a mushroom cap and I also smell like a plant. Normally their food doesn't move that much or start yelling when they try to take a bite, but unfortunately that only makes them even more curious. Boy did everyone get a good laugh when these little critters started chasing me around! Isn't it hilarious that the plant person has to worry about herbivores? Har har! Well let me take you guys to the surface and introduce you to a troop of Eyahs, and then we shall see if it is funny!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

-----------------------------------------------------

It's a bat-spider! Or a spider-bat! Take your pick!

Description
The Amblus is a small mammalian species that can be found in the fungal forests of the Underworld. It spends most of its time skittering up and down the massive stalks in search of food. The many branches and protuberances that are found on these stalks allows the Amblus to move from pillar to pillar, making it very rare for the creature to ever set "foot" on the ground. I refer to "foot" like that, because the Amblus has a rather interesting anatomy. Based on its appearance, many people compare it to a spider, with eight moving limbs and a set of pedipalps. The issue with that comparison though, is that these appendages are not actually feet or even limbs. In fact, they are actually fingers. To get a better understanding of the Ambli, one should instead compare them to their closest relatives: bats. If you have looked at a bat wing, you would see that it is made from greatly elongated fingers that are connected with a large, thin membrane. Just like its aerial cousins, the Amblus has really, really long fingers, but it has chosen to use them for walking rather than flying. If you look closely at the base of where the fingers attach, you will notice a greatly reduced hand-like structure, and even remnants of membrane from their ancient flying days! This means that the Ambli walk on their hands, rather than their feet! Their true legs remain folded in the back, only ever used to hang from branches or vines when they rest. It is when they sleep hanging from their feet that people can really see the similarities they share with bats, especially since the Amblus will wrap its fingers around its body as it dozes!

While it is alive and scurrying about, the Amblus will keep a nose out for food. Though people may be unsettled by its spider-like appearance, the Amblus is a herbivore, feeding entirely on fungal pods and fruit. Its finger-legs help it scale the massive stalks and scurry across the branching limbs, all while its nose sniffs out a meal. While the Amblus does indeed have eyes, these are greatly reduced and rarely used. Instead, it relies mainly on its nose for food and its ears for detecting predators. When a morsel is in sight, it shall devour it on the spot, or use its thumbs to rip it up and carry it back to its nest for later consumption. When it comes to manipulation, the Amblus uses its thumbs to do so, even sporting a special forked claw to help it grip and tear.

If a predator is heard or smelled while it is out and about, the Amblus will talk the running route. Its many fingers help it move quite fast, and its agility on the branches and networks of fungus make it a difficult quarry to catch. It will zip up and around stalks, or scurry upside down so that the pursuer has a hard time keeping up. If the predator does catch it or at least corner it, the Amblus will lash out with its fingers. Though they are climbing tools, the claws on the ends of these digits are quite sharp and can do some damage. That is why it is recommended not get too friendly with an Amblus, as their playful skittering and climbing is a lot less fun when they are doing it on your flesh. I unfortunately experienced more times than I liked, and it is not a pleasant experience. True, they do not mean to cause harm, but when you are constantly jabbed and prodded by their sharp fingers, you get a little irate. It certainly didn't help that my head resembles a mushroom cap and I also smell like a plant. Normally their food doesn't move that much or start yelling when they try to take a bite, but unfortunately that only makes them even more curious. Boy did everyone get a good laugh when these little critters started chasing me around! Isn't it hilarious that the plant person has to worry about herbivores? Har har! Well let me take you guys to the surface and introduce you to a troop of Eyahs, and then we shall see if it is funny!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

-----------------------------------------------------

It's a bat-spider! Or a spider-bat! Take your pick!