Hedgefrogs
Dec 20, 2017 16:07:20 GMT -5
Post by Melusine on Dec 20, 2017 16:07:20 GMT -5
(I wrote these for Isnit back in 2014 and they never passed through the creature creation votes, so I thought I'd refresh them a bit and drop them in here.)
General Info
Singular: Hedgefrog
Plural: Hedgefrogs
Young: egg -> pigpole -> pigpole metamorph (bonding stage) -> hedgefrog
Group: Army
Take a frog, bulk it up a couple ounces, give it a longer jaw shape, add some serious defensive spines on the back, and you have a Hedgefrog. Nobody knows how they came about - genetic splicing experiment, PIF creation, or naturally occurring on Planet - but here they are, squishy and slimy yet eerily adorable. Obviously a cross between a hedgehog and a frog, these amphibious critters are equally happy on land or in water, be it streams or lakes. They have the clever suction toes of their frog ancestors yet also possess tough, horny edges to their toes that are suitable for digging in pursuit of food or shelter. Hedgefrogs are freshwater beasts; saltwater exposure causes sickness and extended immersion will lead to death.
Hedgefrogs are not sentient but this does not mean they lack intelligence. They are cunning hunters, capable of learning the behaviors of their prey and adapting to take advantage of predictable behaviors and weaknesses, and they are capable of being trained to a limited extent. They verbally communicate through a varied language of clicks, peeps, trills, clucks, whistles, ribbits, and, in the case of males, croaks. Each call has a simple meaning, lacking in nuance. To supplement their verbal skills they possess a basic ability to share their emotions with each other - though they can only sense the emotions of their bonds, should they make such a link.
Wild hedgefrogs are prey to many beasts, and are highly territorial and solitary in nature, coming together only to mate. They primarily live in damp environs such as swamps and on the shores of lakes and rivers, burrowing in mast and under deadfalls for safety. Bonded hedgefrogs are far more social as they are not competing for resources. Hedgefrogs require fresh water pools in their living environment to keep their soft hides properly hydrated - sinks or bathtubs will work in a pinch, and they don't mind humid terrariums as their private spaces. Omnivorous, the majority of their diet consists of insects, algae, and small fish, though they will eat just about anything when the need arises.
Mating Info:
Females indicate readiness to breed by chirruping and peeping a specific combination to summon males. Males compete for her attention by providing gifts of food and singing to her, using their unique ability to croak in addition to the universally available sounds to weave complex mating songs. The male with the best combination of gift and song is chosen, based on the preferences of the female; she may prefer insects over vegetation, or songs which have a greater proportion of high-pitched sounds.
Bonding Info:
While all females produce sizable clutches of eggs after a successful mating, only 25-30% of young survive to the metamorph stage - without bonding, their mortality rate is near 90% before adulthood. Fully half of any clutch are non-viable due to the wonky mix of genetics that make up Hedgefrogs, and pigpoles have notoriously delicate constitutions, as well as being common targets for predators. The bonding urge for this species is driven by the need for security while maturing and access to a stable food source.
Female Hedgefrogs carry their spawn of eggs in mouth sacs where they can keep the eggs moist until they hatch, then carries the young attached to her belly by their vestigial suction pads until the pigpoles reach the metamorph stage of their development process - which happens to be when they are ready to bond. The mother scouts out a damp place for the bonding before singing to attract the attention of potential bonds. Pigpoles are enticed by offerings of food and emotional states which indicate an ability to defend the pigpole through its metamorph stage and into adulthood.
Ranks:
Leopard
The largest of the hedgefrog ranks, Leopards are the undisputed queens of the species. Unlike other ranks, the defense spines of Leopard hedgefrogs extend onto the sides of their bodies, providing protection to the vulnerable belly area where their young cling during the pigpole stage. Leopards have a primary color in the lighter end of the tan range with secondary colors in the green range from cool lime to dark viridian. Their defensive spines are tipped in a darker shade of green than their body markings. Leopard hedgefrogs typically spawn between 30 and 50 eggs, with 10-15 pigpoles surviving to metamorph stage.
PSP: 3
Red-Eye
Red-Eyes are the larger of the two uncommon ranks, though not by much, and they lack the clever supplementary defenses of their venomous brothers. These hedgefrogs come in vibrant shades of green, ranging from electric green to seafoam, with yellow, orange, and cobalt markings, pale tan to yellow bellies, and red-tipped spines. As the name of the rank implies these Lords have intensely red eyes, a unique trait among the species.
PSP: 2
Blue Dart
While Blue Darts are smaller than their Red-Eye brothers they make up for their smaller size by possessing a special additional defense which no other rank can boast: they are venomous, secreting a paralytic fluid from venom sacks into the hollow lengths of their defensive spines. Blue Darts gained their name from their more slender build and resulting greater speed, moving through water and on land with notable agility. They come in medium to dark shades of blue with black markings and black tips to their venom-filled spines.
PSP: 2
White
The largest of the common ranks, white hedgefrogs are not primarily white; rather, they are washed out shades of green or brown, including blue-tinted colors like seafoam and aquamarine. Their bellies, however, are always bright white, the color extending to their lower lip and neatly contrasting their primary coloring. The defensive spines of this rank are tipped in seafoam green. White hedgefrogs come in either gender and prefer to mate with other commons, though bonded males may attend Leopard chases if they feel like it. Female white hedgefrogs typically spawn between 10 and 20 eggs, but only 3 to 5 pigpoles will survive to metamorph stage.
PSP: 1
Yellow Dart
The smallest of the common ranks, Yellow Darts are built on similar lines as the Blue Darts, though they lack that rank's defensive venom. Unlike all other ranks, Yellow Darts do not have light underbellies; they are solid yellow to orange in color with pure black spines and black toes. These hedgefrogs come in either gender and males will chase any female. Yellow hedgefrogs typically spawn between 10 and 20 eggs, but only 3 to 5 pigpoles will survive to metamorph stage.
PSP: 1
Fire-Belly
This female-only rank of common hedgefrogs has the most defined coloring of the breed. Possessing vibrant orange to red bellies and medium green backs, they are marked with black mottling from snout to stern. This includes a series of vertical bars crossing their snouts, giving them the illusion of having their mouths sewn shut. Fire-Belly hegefrogs have a squat, ungainly appearance which lacks the grace of the Dart ranks or the brawn of the Leopard and Red-Eye ranks. They also have the most slimy skin of all the hedgefrog ranks, making them often the least appealing to bond. Fire-Belly hedgefrogs typically spawn between 10 and 20 eggs, but only 3 to 5 pigpoles will survive to metamorph stage.
PSP: 1
General Info
Singular: Hedgefrog
Plural: Hedgefrogs
Young: egg -> pigpole -> pigpole metamorph (bonding stage) -> hedgefrog
Group: Army
Take a frog, bulk it up a couple ounces, give it a longer jaw shape, add some serious defensive spines on the back, and you have a Hedgefrog. Nobody knows how they came about - genetic splicing experiment, PIF creation, or naturally occurring on Planet - but here they are, squishy and slimy yet eerily adorable. Obviously a cross between a hedgehog and a frog, these amphibious critters are equally happy on land or in water, be it streams or lakes. They have the clever suction toes of their frog ancestors yet also possess tough, horny edges to their toes that are suitable for digging in pursuit of food or shelter. Hedgefrogs are freshwater beasts; saltwater exposure causes sickness and extended immersion will lead to death.
Hedgefrogs are not sentient but this does not mean they lack intelligence. They are cunning hunters, capable of learning the behaviors of their prey and adapting to take advantage of predictable behaviors and weaknesses, and they are capable of being trained to a limited extent. They verbally communicate through a varied language of clicks, peeps, trills, clucks, whistles, ribbits, and, in the case of males, croaks. Each call has a simple meaning, lacking in nuance. To supplement their verbal skills they possess a basic ability to share their emotions with each other - though they can only sense the emotions of their bonds, should they make such a link.
Wild hedgefrogs are prey to many beasts, and are highly territorial and solitary in nature, coming together only to mate. They primarily live in damp environs such as swamps and on the shores of lakes and rivers, burrowing in mast and under deadfalls for safety. Bonded hedgefrogs are far more social as they are not competing for resources. Hedgefrogs require fresh water pools in their living environment to keep their soft hides properly hydrated - sinks or bathtubs will work in a pinch, and they don't mind humid terrariums as their private spaces. Omnivorous, the majority of their diet consists of insects, algae, and small fish, though they will eat just about anything when the need arises.
Mating Info:
Females indicate readiness to breed by chirruping and peeping a specific combination to summon males. Males compete for her attention by providing gifts of food and singing to her, using their unique ability to croak in addition to the universally available sounds to weave complex mating songs. The male with the best combination of gift and song is chosen, based on the preferences of the female; she may prefer insects over vegetation, or songs which have a greater proportion of high-pitched sounds.
Bonding Info:
While all females produce sizable clutches of eggs after a successful mating, only 25-30% of young survive to the metamorph stage - without bonding, their mortality rate is near 90% before adulthood. Fully half of any clutch are non-viable due to the wonky mix of genetics that make up Hedgefrogs, and pigpoles have notoriously delicate constitutions, as well as being common targets for predators. The bonding urge for this species is driven by the need for security while maturing and access to a stable food source.
Female Hedgefrogs carry their spawn of eggs in mouth sacs where they can keep the eggs moist until they hatch, then carries the young attached to her belly by their vestigial suction pads until the pigpoles reach the metamorph stage of their development process - which happens to be when they are ready to bond. The mother scouts out a damp place for the bonding before singing to attract the attention of potential bonds. Pigpoles are enticed by offerings of food and emotional states which indicate an ability to defend the pigpole through its metamorph stage and into adulthood.
Ranks:
Leopard
The largest of the hedgefrog ranks, Leopards are the undisputed queens of the species. Unlike other ranks, the defense spines of Leopard hedgefrogs extend onto the sides of their bodies, providing protection to the vulnerable belly area where their young cling during the pigpole stage. Leopards have a primary color in the lighter end of the tan range with secondary colors in the green range from cool lime to dark viridian. Their defensive spines are tipped in a darker shade of green than their body markings. Leopard hedgefrogs typically spawn between 30 and 50 eggs, with 10-15 pigpoles surviving to metamorph stage.
PSP: 3
Red-Eye
Red-Eyes are the larger of the two uncommon ranks, though not by much, and they lack the clever supplementary defenses of their venomous brothers. These hedgefrogs come in vibrant shades of green, ranging from electric green to seafoam, with yellow, orange, and cobalt markings, pale tan to yellow bellies, and red-tipped spines. As the name of the rank implies these Lords have intensely red eyes, a unique trait among the species.
PSP: 2
Blue Dart
While Blue Darts are smaller than their Red-Eye brothers they make up for their smaller size by possessing a special additional defense which no other rank can boast: they are venomous, secreting a paralytic fluid from venom sacks into the hollow lengths of their defensive spines. Blue Darts gained their name from their more slender build and resulting greater speed, moving through water and on land with notable agility. They come in medium to dark shades of blue with black markings and black tips to their venom-filled spines.
PSP: 2
White
The largest of the common ranks, white hedgefrogs are not primarily white; rather, they are washed out shades of green or brown, including blue-tinted colors like seafoam and aquamarine. Their bellies, however, are always bright white, the color extending to their lower lip and neatly contrasting their primary coloring. The defensive spines of this rank are tipped in seafoam green. White hedgefrogs come in either gender and prefer to mate with other commons, though bonded males may attend Leopard chases if they feel like it. Female white hedgefrogs typically spawn between 10 and 20 eggs, but only 3 to 5 pigpoles will survive to metamorph stage.
PSP: 1
Yellow Dart
The smallest of the common ranks, Yellow Darts are built on similar lines as the Blue Darts, though they lack that rank's defensive venom. Unlike all other ranks, Yellow Darts do not have light underbellies; they are solid yellow to orange in color with pure black spines and black toes. These hedgefrogs come in either gender and males will chase any female. Yellow hedgefrogs typically spawn between 10 and 20 eggs, but only 3 to 5 pigpoles will survive to metamorph stage.
PSP: 1
Fire-Belly
This female-only rank of common hedgefrogs has the most defined coloring of the breed. Possessing vibrant orange to red bellies and medium green backs, they are marked with black mottling from snout to stern. This includes a series of vertical bars crossing their snouts, giving them the illusion of having their mouths sewn shut. Fire-Belly hegefrogs have a squat, ungainly appearance which lacks the grace of the Dart ranks or the brawn of the Leopard and Red-Eye ranks. They also have the most slimy skin of all the hedgefrog ranks, making them often the least appealing to bond. Fire-Belly hedgefrogs typically spawn between 10 and 20 eggs, but only 3 to 5 pigpoles will survive to metamorph stage.
PSP: 1