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Description
My entry for 's July 2017 contest. The theme was ambush predator.

The crescent-ridged springfish is a fearsome predator from Trappist-1 e. They can move at speeds up to 130 km/h (81 mph) using their coiled tail, which functions like a tube foot. A sac of fluid is found at the base of the tail, which contracts and forces the fluid into it when the springfish wants to move. A tube allows the fluid to run through it. When it is waiting for prey, the tail is tucked into the body, which is able to open at the bottom. Spines dig into the soil below it, giving it excellent traction. On the body, a crescent-shaped organ gives this creature its name. This organ is used as a rhinophore, detecting chemicals in the air to sense its prey from a distance. For more accurate sensory organs, the front side is covered in thermoceptor pits that can detect infrared radiation emitted by its surrounding environment, especially warm-blooded animals.

To kill its prey, the crescent-ridged springfish hides between rocks, jumping out and using its stinger to inject them with digestive enzymes. The stinger is located at the front, and flips outward immediately before hitting the prey. The stinger is barbed, so it cannot let go until the flesh softens from the digestive enzyme's effects. It does not have a complex digestive system. There is a slit running from the stinger to the base of the tail, which leads to a cavity that serves as a digestive surface. It envelops its prey in this cavity, which can stretch like the stomach of a constrictor. To steer itself while moving toward its victim, a small fin on the body near the top of the tail is used. Even at these blinding speeds, the brain can still process information very quickly and react almost immediately. In relation to its body size, the brain is actually larger than that in humans, but this is used mostly for sensory and targeting purposes. The body is around 50 cm long, while the tail is around 4.5 m long. The length of the tail allows it to jump 10-12 m, so it does not need to be very close to its prey before attacking.

What is even more remarkable than its method of attack is its method of locomotion over longer distances. They jump at around a 45° angle to the ground, though not uncoiling their tails completely. While in the air, they retract their tail and jump again upon landing.

Description
My entry for 's July 2017 contest. The theme was ambush predator.

The crescent-ridged springfish is a fearsome predator from Trappist-1 e. They can move at speeds up to 130 km/h (81 mph) using their coiled tail, which functions like a tube foot. A sac of fluid is found at the base of the tail, which contracts and forces the fluid into it when the springfish wants to move. A tube allows the fluid to run through it. When it is waiting for prey, the tail is tucked into the body, which is able to open at the bottom. Spines dig into the soil below it, giving it excellent traction. On the body, a crescent-shaped organ gives this creature its name. This organ is used as a rhinophore, detecting chemicals in the air to sense its prey from a distance. For more accurate sensory organs, the front side is covered in thermoceptor pits that can detect infrared radiation emitted by its surrounding environment, especially warm-blooded animals.

To kill its prey, the crescent-ridged springfish hides between rocks, jumping out and using its stinger to inject them with digestive enzymes. The stinger is located at the front, and flips outward immediately before hitting the prey. The stinger is barbed, so it cannot let go until the flesh softens from the digestive enzyme's effects. It does not have a complex digestive system. There is a slit running from the stinger to the base of the tail, which leads to a cavity that serves as a digestive surface. It envelops its prey in this cavity, which can stretch like the stomach of a constrictor. To steer itself while moving toward its victim, a small fin on the body near the top of the tail is used. Even at these blinding speeds, the brain can still process information very quickly and react almost immediately. In relation to its body size, the brain is actually larger than that in humans, but this is used mostly for sensory and targeting purposes. The body is around 50 cm long, while the tail is around 4.5 m long. The length of the tail allows it to jump 10-12 m, so it does not need to be very close to its prey before attacking.

What is even more remarkable than its method of attack is its method of locomotion over longer distances. They jump at around a 45° angle to the ground, though not uncoiling their tails completely. While in the air, they retract their tail and jump again upon landing.