Grik

Basic Information

Anatomy

A creature resembling a hairless, wrinkled kangaroo which resides in vast deserts and canyons. They have pale, rough hairless skin for absorbing the minimal amount of sunlight. They are shorter and stouter then a typical kangaroo. Their snouts are the same, and their teeth are less canine and closer to deer or other even toed ungulates. The tail is a store for extra fat. Rather than a water store, the fat in its tail allows it to go long periods of time without eating When the fat store is full the animal's body is well balanced and it can leap quickly along on its hind limbs. It has broad, thorny pads on the toes of its hind feet which both keep it from sinking into soft sand and allow it to grip onto rock.

Ecology and Habitats

Live in semi-arid deserts, where they travel in the sun when many nocturnal predators are sleeping, and they are safe. They use their legs to dig out temporary burrows in rocky outcrops, to sleep in at night when the desert turns cold on their unprotected skin. These burrows are collapsed in the morning, to leave no trace of them as they continue on their journeys between watering holes.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Grik need to eat as much and as often as possible. At watering holes, they gorge themselves on oasis grass and the leaves of the rare desert tree. They will eat beyond becoming full, converting the excess food into extra fat in their tails to store for long trips.