Alta Koltuko

## Growth

### Capsule

"This glossy capsule is filled with a pearlescent green liquid that catches the light."

### Juvenile

"Remarkably intelligent, with a mischievous streak to boot, this adventurous juvenile will squeeze its lean body through any crevice or half-open door and should be kept under careful supervision in the laboratory, with plenty of toys and tunnels for physical and mental enrichment. Since being weaned off its mother’s milk, it has taken a liking to high-altitude spots. When worn out, it will retire to the top of the nearest shelf or ledge for a well-deserved nap."

### Adult

"Despite their widespread population distribution, it may be difficult to spot Alta Koltukos during a wintry trek in the woods due to their penchant for hiding away in the tallest boughs of any given tree. These nimble climbers can be found throughout cold evergreen Kreskanta Tigo forests, although they sometimes also reside in more temperate climates—usually in areas with many Stranga Sciuros, whose wintertime nut stashes the Alta Koltukos will often raid. In addition to their diet of fruits and nuts, these opportunistic omnivores eagerly hunt smaller and less intelligent tree-dwelling mammals. For hours on end, an Alta Koltuko will observe its prey from a distance, noting the locations of its buried food stashes as well as the covered treetop niches where it goes to rest, before striking with a lethal pounce. After gorging itself on its unlucky victim, the Alta Koltuko will rebury the deceased creature’s stash in a more secure location and move into its former home. Violent turf wars can break out between two or more Alta Koltukos who are vying for the same precious nut hoard or sheltered niche, especially in sparser forests or colder climates where respite from the winter elements is difficult to come by."

### Extra Info

#### This Seasons Hottest Accessory

"The Alta Koltukos long and surprisingly dexterous tail serves as a counterbalancing weight and safety measure for the creature as it scampers around precariously narrow high-altitude tree branches. At night, an Alta Koltuko will wrap its tail around the nearest bough like a scarf for stability while it sleeps. Some specimens have even been observed using their tails as prehensile swings in order to move between groups of branches or dodge assaults from larger predators."

#### Wintertime Decor

"In addition to their core diet of fruits, nuts, and small mammals, Alta Koltukos are especially fond of dining on Kovrita Brako, a soft, tree-climbing lichen endemic to many alpine evergreen forests. The waste of an Alta Koltuko includes a musky byproduct that encourages the growth of these lichens. If you come across a treetop niche or branch bursting with wispy, whitish-green blooms of Kovrita Brako, it is highly likely that an Alta Koltuko is not far away."

#### Grin and Bare It

"While Alta Koltukos are known to communicate through a wide variety of clicks, hisses, and screams, the true measure of their expressiveness lies in their teeth. When raised in a laboratory setting, an Alta Koltuko will demand food or playtime from its caretaker by nipping at their heels. Strict obedience training is also recommended from a young age; otherwise, these headstrong mammals will engage in shows of dominance even over humans by ripping apart furniture and vindictively biting hands during feeding time."