[petdesign] Grassolotl

Axolotl/salamander-adjacent creatures that have evolved to have crests imitating the common local flora in their area for better camouflage while hunting. They're quite small. Reaching no longer than 30cm even with their tongue and tail length combined.

When the crest is closed, the layers of enlarged flaps of skin envelops its head like a flower bulb, leaving only its two little beady eyes, a speckled nose resembling  pollen, and its long tongue to come out. Its tongue is especially long and sticky, with extra prongs at the end that looks like thin leaves. A common hunting tactic is to flatten their bodies onto the ground, camouflaging, then wait until a bug comes close enough to snap up. They usually resemble a single plucked flower laying on the ground. The Grassolotl needs water not only for sustenance, but also to keep their skin fresh and elastic. There are many unfortunate cases where the 'petals' become dry and hardened, trapping the creature's head inside, resulting in starvation. Desert varients of Grassolotls have been noted to have a more 'bulbous petals', bearing more similarities to succulent plants rather than flowers.

When angered or threatened, the 'petals' will flare open wider, some even layering on top of one another, to give a scarier shape. (For example, the Heart/rose varient crest would seperate into two, giving more width to the side. It's often compared to the shape of a broken heart). Luckily, they're quite docile, so finding one purposefully flaring as a threat is uncommon. If you see a small circle of plucked flowers in the middle of a flower field, be careful where you step. There may be a Grassolotl hidden among the discarded stems and petals.

A group of Grassolotls is a called a "bouquet".

Submitted By mlGoggles for Design a Pet?! ・ View Favorites
Submitted: 6 months ago ・ Last Updated: 6 months ago