Thumbwalker

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Thumbwalker
(Xenochiros oveocephalus)
Artwork of Thumbwalker
Species is extinct.
27/166, Polar Purge
Creator Solpimr Other
Taxonomy
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Superclass
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Eukaryota
Carpozoa
Spondylozoa
Anisoscelida
Saurochelones
Acanthomoi
Xenocheiridae
Xenochiros
Xenochiros oveocephalus
Week/Generation 25/155
Habitat Fermi High Desert, Fermi Tundra, Fermi Polar Beach
Size 1 m Long
Primary Mobility Unknown
Support Endoskeleton (Bone)
Diet Adults; Insectivore (Sapworms, Vermees), Larva; Omnivores (Cloudswarmers larva, Redmosses, Orangemosses, Testudiatoms)
Respiration Active (Lungs)
Thermoregulation Ectotherm
Reproduction Sexual, Two Sexes, Frog-like Eggs Laid into Cryobowls


The thumbwalker has split from its ancestor and now lives exclusively within the colony stalk colonies. Inside the colony they clean potentially harmful parasites and grazers off the stalks. Their forelimbs have been modified to grasp the stalks, allowing them to partially climb and reach pray near the top. In order to deal with he irritants released by the defense phytids they have evolved nostril sphincters to keep their airways clear and translucent eyelids so they can see, albeit poorly, with their eyes closed (as pictured). The advantage of living in the colony stalk colonies is that, while not perfectly safe, they are not easy prey for Shantaks.

The heavily modified hand deserve special mention. The outer toe has rotated almost 90 degrees and now closes inwards to grasp flora stalks. Meanwhile the inner toe has evolved into a hoof that can be folded upwards while the outer toe is grasping. This odd arrangement gives them equal proficiency at walking and climbing.

Living Relatives (click to show/hide)

These are randomly selected, and organized from lowest to highest shared taxon. (This may correspond to similarity more than actual relation)
  • Beach Thumbwalker (genus Xenochiros)
  • Aardoorn (family Xenocheiridae)
  • Mangrove Smasher (order Acanthomoi)
  • Toadtuga (class Saurochelones)