Antipper (SciiFii)

The antipper (Orycteronyx rhyncops) is a species of fully terrestrial cetacean that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the subtropical and temperate forests of the Azores archipelago to help boost biodiversity. It was difficult to create due to its "third leg", which is actually its modified tail, however, SciiFii has successfully created this animal without any side effects (illnesses, etc). The antipper is a medium-sized animal that usually grows to be about the size of a mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). The antipper is an insectivore, filling the similar ecological niche to anteaters, aardvarks, pangolins, and other similar insectivorous mammals. It primarily feeds on colonial insects such as ants, termites, wasps, and hornets, using its long, sticky tongue to lap up insects. The antipper has a protective layer of skin that prevents the insect bites and stings from penetrating through the antipper's skin and harming the animal. The antipper is known to occasionally feed on beetles and carrion to supplement its diet. It walks on its knuckles to keep its large shovel-like claws sharp, as it uses its claws to tear through the insect nests. Unlike many of the terrestrial whales of the Azores archipelago, the antipper is largely diurnal, not having to worry about predation from large carnivores and predatory omnivores, due to its flesh being toxic to eat to many of the would-be-predators, as a result of feasting on the ants, termites, and beetle species that are toxic. Unlike several other terrestrial whales and most land mammals in general, the antipper has developed a thick, keratin beak to help it feed on tougher foods than most terrestrial whales. Unlike most other mammals, having a tough beak doesn't pose a significant problem for suckling its young, since it retained its aquatic relatives' method of squirting milk directly into the mouths of its calves. It is a solitary animal in most of its life except during breeding seasons, when males try to find females to mate with. The conservation status of the antipper is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the antipper's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii