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Description

Planet: Xenosulia

Common name: Mesogean Forest Knucker

Scientific name: Helophus kirensis

Size: 2 – 3 meters in length

Diet: entomopterite bugbirds, fish, occasionally larger animals

Habitat: bodies of freshwater in forested wetlands

Reproduction: hermaphroditic

Helophus kirensis belongs to a group of aquatic trignathites called Nuceriformes, characterised by the presence of long fins on either side of their body as well as a rigid and hardened, toothy beak. They live near lakes and rivers, but are able to move on both land and underwater, moving across land in the legless snake-like manner of other trignathites.

They spend long periods of time lying in wait partially submerged, with their second and third eye pair raised above water to watch for prey. With only their eyes and breathing spiracles above the water, they are difficult to spot, especially with their red colouration allowing them to blend in with the surrounding aquatic iculophyte species. When an animal comes near to drink, they are able to jump out at alarming speed, biting them with their powerful beaks. Their biting strength is incredibly strong, supported by a series of anchor points inside their head, with the brain moved further back to facilitate this.

While this hunting strategy is typical of nuceriforms, different species go after different prey, with the shape of the beak facilitating this. The elongated beak of the Mesogean forest knucker is well suited for catching bugbirds and fish.

Description

Planet: Xenosulia

Common name: Mesogean Forest Knucker

Scientific name: Helophus kirensis

Size: 2 – 3 meters in length

Diet: entomopterite bugbirds, fish, occasionally larger animals

Habitat: bodies of freshwater in forested wetlands

Reproduction: hermaphroditic

Helophus kirensis belongs to a group of aquatic trignathites called Nuceriformes, characterised by the presence of long fins on either side of their body as well as a rigid and hardened, toothy beak. They live near lakes and rivers, but are able to move on both land and underwater, moving across land in the legless snake-like manner of other trignathites.

They spend long periods of time lying in wait partially submerged, with their second and third eye pair raised above water to watch for prey. With only their eyes and breathing spiracles above the water, they are difficult to spot, especially with their red colouration allowing them to blend in with the surrounding aquatic iculophyte species. When an animal comes near to drink, they are able to jump out at alarming speed, biting them with their powerful beaks. Their biting strength is incredibly strong, supported by a series of anchor points inside their head, with the brain moved further back to facilitate this.

While this hunting strategy is typical of nuceriforms, different species go after different prey, with the shape of the beak facilitating this. The elongated beak of the Mesogean forest knucker is well suited for catching bugbirds and fish.