Pteroform

These small, flying creatures are similar to Earth's birds or pterasaurs. They are commonly seen flying through trees or around large creatures, eating parasites and pests from their skin and ears. The larger species occasionally eat the smaller if the need arises.

Basic Information

Anatomy

They have a relatively bird-like head, though they have six eyes and most predatory species have a barbed beak to grab prey with. Their wings are more like a bat's than anything else's. Their legs, or lack of, are now reduced to simple claws used to hang off of branches and rocks. They are covered in a fur-like covering and clean it quite often.

Biological Traits

They very from the size of large mice to easily the size of falcons or hawks. One species in particular, the grand Pteroform, has measured to have a wingspan of over eight feet! As such, their weight ranges greatly. In all species, however, they have hollow bones to aid in flight.

Genetics and Reproduction

They mate on the wing, and as the female is up to three times the size of the male, he doesn't need to worry about flying. Two months later, the female gives birth to a single baby, but keeps them in a pouch, similar to marsupials. The baby is fed by the mother and after about six months, the baby is ready to fly, but they stay with the mother for a few weeks after this.

Growth Rate & Stages

They are born deaf and naked, though their eyes operate as normal. As the get older, the hair grows in as well as their inner ear mechanisms.

Ecology and Habitats

They show a significant liking to Root Trees, most likely due to their mossy covering being easy to grab. In addition, they have been known to move into large stone buildings and create roosts and colonies within. They are known to both scavenge carcasses and steal from vendors in civilization.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The majority of species are insectivorous, but some species, mainly a strange group of flightless species on the Floating Isles, eat fallen fruit and carrion. They do, as mentioned earlier, steal from market stalls, similar to seagulls, and like them as well, they have been known to steal from local's hands.

Biological Cycle

They due hibernate in colder climates or as needed in other environments. This 'adaptive hibernation' shows incredible ingenuity and adaptations, being able to change their inner cycle to account for environmental factors. They are being tested to see the extent of these tests currently by both human scientists and local Galoan biologists.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Other than fighting over a nightly roost, they do not show any sort of social structure whatsoever, which came as a surprise for such a strange species.

Domestication

Little success has shown to occur in this species, as they either escape or make so much noise their captors let them go willingly.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

They are hunted, just as birds are on Earth, as both trophy animals and food. They are commonly stuffed as trophies over the door of a house, to show the inhabitants are as free as the flyers.

Facial characteristics

Their beak covers most of their head, and their eyes can be seen through holes in the beak itself. There are several small, needle-like teeth in the beak, arranging themselves in a fan shape, leaning towards the throat.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They have been distributed, by both natural and artificial means, to several continents and islands. They seem to have a liking for forested or mountainous regions.

Average Intelligence

Their intelligence has been compared to that of both Earth's gulls and some of the jays.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

These creatures have exceptional sight and hearing, but cannot actually smell, as they do not even have nostrils. They have been recorded to see color very similar to humans, but having a hard time distinguishing between red and yellow.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Their relationship with locals can be considered a parasitic relationship of sorts. They most definatelly have a symbiotic relationship with large herbivores and carnivores, picking parasites off or scraps of meat from their teeth, accordingly.

Scientific Name

Pteromimid sp.

Origin/Ancestry

They seem to come from tropical regions, but have since migrated to temperate climates as well.

Lifespan

The average is 12 years, though several have reached 20.

Conservation Status

The group is very prosperous, being one of the most common sounds in Animoterran forests and jungles.

Average Physique

They are quite muscular and streamlined, this helping with flight and hanging.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The colors of species ranges just as much as their size, the smaller species usually are more dull and drab, such as browns and tans, in order to remain camouflaged. Larger species, however, are often sporting blue crests, black and white stripes, or even red markings along the tail and wings.

Discovered by

Entora