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Description

Entry for Earthsong9405 's Make-an-Alien contest
Link to the journal here .

Common Name: Sky-snare (true name unknown)
Planet: Coron {pronounced core-own} (a planet similar to earth with more sea water and some weirder creatures.)
Age expectancy: 500 years (short compared to other creatures on their planet.)
Government: none
Language: ???

Diet: Carnivore, mostly eating fish; however, the Desert and Tropical species will turn to land based or semi-aquatic animals if prey is scarce.

Physiology: Mammalian-esque; however, they are reptilian with traits like scales and egg-laying.
~
Sky-snares are flying creatures that have a mix between mammalian skin and reptilian scales. They’re deadly fast when hunting down prey and, when they catch it, will never let go. They are the apex predators of the sky; however, if caught in the ocean and unable to lift-off, they’ll be eaten by bigger fish.
They hang around oceans or large bodies of water so they can fish; however, Desert and Tropical Sky-snares are known to stay inland near rivers or lakes.
The most common are the Open Sea Sky-snares. They typically blend in with the clouds before swooping down to catch fish.
    A.      They’re a sexually dimorphic species with the biggest differences being how the female is significantly longer and sleeker while the male is bulkier and smaller. Both have massive jaws with an underbite for scooping up fish.
    B.      The males also have special, colorful frills on their heads and necks that can come in any color or pattern (like a pony mane without the ability to style it.) These are used to impress females and are incredibly bright and saturated. Females have these as well; however, it’s less pronounced and is typically duller than the males. When not in use, the frills can collapse to prevent wind resistance. There is a genetic defect that results in a female with male frills. This only has impact on the Sky-snare during the breeding season where confusion occurs which may result in aggression towards the female.
    C.      The desert variety is much bigger (6 ft. tall, 9 ft long) and spikier compared to the others for camouflage and extra defense. They also have more frills and a longer snout. The most important feature is the enlarged throat. It may look like a frill; but, it’s also a pouch used to store fresh water and fish to save for later. Due to the expansive nature of the desert, these will occasionally land among scrub to take a break and wait for cooler temperatures.
    D.      Tropical Sky-snares are the smallest of the three (2 ft. tall and 3 ft. long) with short wings. These hunt the rivers of the tropics, have claws on the 'wrist' of their wing, and will rest in trees. They have a deeper mouth better suited for scooping up other aquatic animals as well as fish. These also lack a neck frill.
    E.       Young are born from eggs buried in the sand and are a sandy color. Once their wings develop from flippers into proper wings, and their skin changes colors, then they’ll head to water to face the world alone. It takes about three years to reach full maturity. They can still crawl as adults, and do on ships, but prefer to fly.
    F.       Sky-snares were once believed to be non-sapient creatures; however, this is further from the truth and has shaken the science community's understanding of perceived sapience. Sky-snares, when not busy with survival, are bright and curious creatures with cat-like charms. They do have a language; however, it's a low-frequency series of growls, trills, and clicks (think a mix between whale and dolphin sounds.) So low, most species aren't able to hear it. Technology attempting to figure out their language and translate it improves daily. Currently, they're being taught Morse code by snapping their maw until more convenient methods of communication are discovered. (feel free to change appearance of actual device, I have no idea what the tech in this AU looks like.)
Culture:
Sky-snares are solitary creatures who soar the skies. They only really meet to mate and leave each other a couple days after the coupling. The mating season is a great gathering over a lone island in the distant sea full of empty ground to safely land and take off from. It’s also close to a spawning location of a nutrient-heavy fish perfect for expecting mothers. The males will typically show off their frills and use them as identifiers as they race each other across the sky. If no winner is determined, testosterone and aggression will cause fights where each attempt to slap the other out of the sky. After the hormones start to wear off, the males will fly off while the females stay until the fish are gone. The clutch of eggs the female's carried over the past two months is buried in the sand and the female leaves as well.
Once all their survival needs are met, Sky-snares are completely different than they were first seen as. They seem to have a toddler-like wonder about the world, have an adult's intelligence, and are infinitely curious about their surroundings. This can be dangerous especially in engine rooms where the Sky-snare will want to investigate everything it sees, hears, or smells usually with touch and taste. This child-like energy comes from a lack of exercise, a rise in easy food, and their already energetic nature that fuels their near-constant flight. So far, caffeine is the only thing that can keep a Sky-snare calm by stimulating a part of their mind; however, it should only be in small doses or else you risk their heart bursting. Once a Sky-snare is calm, they make great scouts for ground missions due to their flight and constant awareness of their surroundings.

Description

Entry for Earthsong9405 's Make-an-Alien contest
Link to the journal here .

Common Name: Sky-snare (true name unknown)
Planet: Coron {pronounced core-own} (a planet similar to earth with more sea water and some weirder creatures.)
Age expectancy: 500 years (short compared to other creatures on their planet.)
Government: none
Language: ???

Diet: Carnivore, mostly eating fish; however, the Desert and Tropical species will turn to land based or semi-aquatic animals if prey is scarce.

Physiology: Mammalian-esque; however, they are reptilian with traits like scales and egg-laying.
~
Sky-snares are flying creatures that have a mix between mammalian skin and reptilian scales. They’re deadly fast when hunting down prey and, when they catch it, will never let go. They are the apex predators of the sky; however, if caught in the ocean and unable to lift-off, they’ll be eaten by bigger fish.
They hang around oceans or large bodies of water so they can fish; however, Desert and Tropical Sky-snares are known to stay inland near rivers or lakes.
The most common are the Open Sea Sky-snares. They typically blend in with the clouds before swooping down to catch fish.
    A.      They’re a sexually dimorphic species with the biggest differences being how the female is significantly longer and sleeker while the male is bulkier and smaller. Both have massive jaws with an underbite for scooping up fish.
    B.      The males also have special, colorful frills on their heads and necks that can come in any color or pattern (like a pony mane without the ability to style it.) These are used to impress females and are incredibly bright and saturated. Females have these as well; however, it’s less pronounced and is typically duller than the males. When not in use, the frills can collapse to prevent wind resistance. There is a genetic defect that results in a female with male frills. This only has impact on the Sky-snare during the breeding season where confusion occurs which may result in aggression towards the female.
    C.      The desert variety is much bigger (6 ft. tall, 9 ft long) and spikier compared to the others for camouflage and extra defense. They also have more frills and a longer snout. The most important feature is the enlarged throat. It may look like a frill; but, it’s also a pouch used to store fresh water and fish to save for later. Due to the expansive nature of the desert, these will occasionally land among scrub to take a break and wait for cooler temperatures.
    D.      Tropical Sky-snares are the smallest of the three (2 ft. tall and 3 ft. long) with short wings. These hunt the rivers of the tropics, have claws on the 'wrist' of their wing, and will rest in trees. They have a deeper mouth better suited for scooping up other aquatic animals as well as fish. These also lack a neck frill.
    E.       Young are born from eggs buried in the sand and are a sandy color. Once their wings develop from flippers into proper wings, and their skin changes colors, then they’ll head to water to face the world alone. It takes about three years to reach full maturity. They can still crawl as adults, and do on ships, but prefer to fly.
    F.       Sky-snares were once believed to be non-sapient creatures; however, this is further from the truth and has shaken the science community's understanding of perceived sapience. Sky-snares, when not busy with survival, are bright and curious creatures with cat-like charms. They do have a language; however, it's a low-frequency series of growls, trills, and clicks (think a mix between whale and dolphin sounds.) So low, most species aren't able to hear it. Technology attempting to figure out their language and translate it improves daily. Currently, they're being taught Morse code by snapping their maw until more convenient methods of communication are discovered. (feel free to change appearance of actual device, I have no idea what the tech in this AU looks like.)
Culture:
Sky-snares are solitary creatures who soar the skies. They only really meet to mate and leave each other a couple days after the coupling. The mating season is a great gathering over a lone island in the distant sea full of empty ground to safely land and take off from. It’s also close to a spawning location of a nutrient-heavy fish perfect for expecting mothers. The males will typically show off their frills and use them as identifiers as they race each other across the sky. If no winner is determined, testosterone and aggression will cause fights where each attempt to slap the other out of the sky. After the hormones start to wear off, the males will fly off while the females stay until the fish are gone. The clutch of eggs the female's carried over the past two months is buried in the sand and the female leaves as well.
Once all their survival needs are met, Sky-snares are completely different than they were first seen as. They seem to have a toddler-like wonder about the world, have an adult's intelligence, and are infinitely curious about their surroundings. This can be dangerous especially in engine rooms where the Sky-snare will want to investigate everything it sees, hears, or smells usually with touch and taste. This child-like energy comes from a lack of exercise, a rise in easy food, and their already energetic nature that fuels their near-constant flight. So far, caffeine is the only thing that can keep a Sky-snare calm by stimulating a part of their mind; however, it should only be in small doses or else you risk their heart bursting. Once a Sky-snare is calm, they make great scouts for ground missions due to their flight and constant awareness of their surroundings.