Needlewing

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Needlewing
(Chlorosaccornis pinemimus)
Artwork of Needlewing
Species is extant.
Creator Hydromancerx Other
Taxonomy
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Subclass
Superorder
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Eukaryota
Mancerxa
Chloropodia
Pterophylla
Rostrophylla
Passerimancerximorpha
Thylacorhynca
Chlorosaccornithidae
Chlorosaccornis
Chlorosaccornis pinemimus
Week/Generation 23/146
Habitat Darwin Tundra, Drake Tundra, Ichthy Temperate Riparian, Jeluki Temperate Riparian, Darwin Desert
Size 40 cm Tall
Primary Mobility Unknown
Support Endoskeleton (Jointed Wood)
Diet Omnivore (Dartir, Clickworm, Pewpa, Jeluki Sapworm, Mini-Flower Ketter, Tundra Bubblehorn, Metamorph Fraboo, Fraboohorn young, Snohawkworm larva, Arid Ferine berries, Yuccagave seeds), Scavenger, Photosynthesis
Respiration Active (Lungs)
Thermoregulation Heterotherm (Basking, Muscle-Generated Heat)
Reproduction Sexual, Two Sexes, Pouch

The needlewing replaced its ancestor the bipedal baghopper. It has regained their photosynthetic wings in the form of needles. While slimmer than its ancestor it can live in both the tundra and the desert. A waxy outer coating on its skin helps reduce water loss as well as insulates it. They do not hop as much but will run short sprints. It can use it wings both to soak up the sunlight and scare off predators. Despite having "wings", they cannot actually fly or even glide.

Its butt-nostril now has many wooden thorns around it to keep predators from suffocating them by covering it up. Like its ancestor it uses its wooden beak to both impale small prey or dig up larva. Their pouch now has supporting ribs which stretch when full of young. Their front limbs no longer hold on to the pouch and have become more vestigial now.

Rather than building a nest for their young the females simply do not give birth when they are fully developed. The female fills the organ that her young developed in with air so that they do not suffocate, she keeps her mouth open too let air flow in. Her young can poke their heads out of her mouth and beg for the food that her mate gives them, she will survive mainly on her fat during this time though her mate may feed her as well. Eventually she will force the offspring to leave, her jaw will often unhinge to make this difficult task a little easier. If she does not shove them out then they will grow too big for her and they will essentially explode out of her and kill her.

simplified diagram of the pouch and female reproductive system of a Needlewing.