Despite a lack of exoskeleton armor, these little Crustum sit atop the localized food chain. They are oblong, spongy to the touch and enjoy being petted. Males display their white innards in season. They eat very infrequently & seem to have the slowest of metabolisms. It’s as though they could live forever!
Although simple in structure, these amorphous creatures are different from the others in this glen in that their appearance varies greatly within the species. One of the most playful of creatures, in groups they really put on a show. They live in tent-like Crustulum nesting structures.
They are perfectly at home in trees or on the ground but are very skittish. Observation was hampered by inability to watch them for any length of time. Natural brown layered camouflage in the fall keeps them safe from their primary predators – Squirrels and, oddly enough, Elephants.
Discovered on the 2nd Thursday of April, these roundish fellows are only found in pairs. They seem to prefer cooler weather. The soft full exoskeleton serves only to protect the compound innards from moisture. Mysterious taxonomy. Are the light brown innards vascular?
Primarily nocturnal, they can be identified by the dark oval on their top and bottom "shell" layers as well as their distinctive “Oareee” chirp. They are a major food source for the native fauna and are often found vivisected when not completely devoured. They are very competent swimmers.
Simple shelled Crustum, these hungry herbivores eat all day & nest in pairs at night. Though they appear sluggish, they can really gallop when threatened. The evolutionary reason behind their striped shell is unclear. For presentation mayhaps? Males & females are visually indistinguishable.
How fun! See how they hop! Nesting in small holes in the ground with only their soft outer shell exposed, these energetic lads blend in well with their environment. In season they shall be found in pairs with their top-only shells actually joined as one. Behold nature's romance!
Usually only active in the darkling hours, this layered Crustum's deep resonant croaks sound amorphously like an operatic belly laugh and, simultaneously, like ululant singing. Their odd form of rolling locomotion does make more sense when their layers can be studied in cross-section.
Simple, round Crustulum originally thought to be militaristic & ordered into Troops, I learned that I had only been witnessing scouting parties. Only females have been observed to date. Long hibernation periods seem likely, as they were only available for a few months out of the year.
Another creature that flies in the face of evolutionary convention. Their light colored "wrap-around" exoskeleton is actually soft and thusly able to absorb damage better while still protecting the vulnerable innards. Unlike most Crustum they are most often found in large packs.
Sunbathers & swimmers – these are a true evolutionary cross-step. They are supported by no skeleton as such but rather by a compound mass of dark deposits which may actually be softer than the surrounding tissue. I do not perceive this pseudo-skeleton as being very protective.
Originally thought to be Crustulum, further study has led me to change the classification to Crustum. Their soft brown shells are stacked & they are slow moving solitary creatures. They enjoy basking in the sun for long periods of time. Preferring oats & grains, they are confirmed herbivores.
Part of April's discoveries. Oblong, soft bodied & similar to the common earthworm in that most specimens are somewhat segmented & contain multiple hearts. Always found in pairs, they are thought to mate for life. They are surprisingly swift when confronted by one of their many predators.
The most simple of the Crustulum, these round pack animals are never seen individually. An evolutionary miracle, they seem to be filter feeders taking both nutrients & moisture from the very air they do not appear to breathe. Had I not seen them used as food I would have entirely missed them in these studies.
Mostly round with a queer dimple in the middle that sometimes passes all the way through. These “Rounders” as I call them either show up en masse or in groups of exactly six. A much larger specimen has been spotted - This is perhaps the queen or alpha.
Doctor Drake's Notes
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