Worldbuilding Wednesday #7: Let There Be Life

[Wes]

Today's Worldbuilding writing prompt comes from @RaWolfe

Prompt Title: Let there be life

We have a lot of information about playable species. But what about the wild animals living on planets? Describe a new exotic animal species that could exist in the Star Army universe.​

Please submit your responses to the prompt below! Responses can be voted on so try to include everything in one post!

 

[Whisper]

Squib
praemium pila lanugo

The Squib is a small desert dwelling creature native to (some planet). It is herbivorous, but has been known to supplement its diet by ingesting small mineral deposits to make up for deficiencies in the plants it typically eats. To this end, its teeth are particularly resilient and grow quickly to make up for the regular wear they incur.

Its body appears as a near perfect sphere due to its dense, straight fur. Its actual body is much like that of various members of the rodentia family. The fur seems to protect it from sudden falls and erratic tumbling that come from the desert's strong winds. It also makes the Squib a particularly unappetizing meal for most would-be predators.

The Squib is normally an infrequent spawner thanks to the difficult environ that it dwells in. Breeding occurs during the sporadic rains that fall on the desert and spurs the growth of local fauna. Those interested in keeping Squib as a pet are warned that they are asexual and exposure to even a modest amount of water can trigger a reproductive response.

The most notable instinct of the Squib, however, is its somewhat unique fight or flight response. As a creature that values the success of the community over the individual, the Squib has a surprisingly low desire to preserve its own life. This, combined with a natural explosive reaction derived from the minerals it consumes, can lead to a noisy, violent, and messy surprise for anything that a Squib views as a significant threat.

 

[Wes]

Whisper wins this week! Not just because this was the only response but because it's a damn fine one! Let's get the Squib added to the wiki!