Mottleback

Because of the chkarsher’s relatively narrow but unspecialized diet, it was only a matter of time before it was outcompeted by more generalist carnivores. The mottleback proved to be the final nail in the coffin, with the only remaining population of basal arthrofelids existing on Barlowe. The chkarsher has gone extinct in its range.

The mottleback is relatively more sly and intelligent than its ancestor, making it an excellent ambush predator. It often hides under terra groves and other tall flora to stalk its prey. While mottlebacks are proficient at catching small terrestrial asterzalians, they also help regulate populations of small arthrotheres. Mottlebacks’ long jaws give them a greater reach with which to snap up prey, and no longer rely on any sort of killing claw. Their eyes are also adapted for hunting, with the front pupils taking on a slit-like shape that helps them detect movement. The back pair of eyes are small with an enlarged pupil, and are mainly used to watch behind themselves for predators.

Male mottlebacks are usually larger than females, and are quite territorial. When two rival males meet, they battle for dominance. The two males open their jaws as wide as they can, and press them together in a strange “jaw fight”, in a manner similar to a Terran mudskipper or sarcastic fringehead. It is a battle of endurance, as one male will simply try to outlast the other. Such battles are more often initiated near a potential mate, as otherwise there is little practicality to these battles.

Due to their more active lifestyles, mottlebacks have faster metabolisms than their ancestors, and in turn have shorter lifespans. In order to support this sort of behavior, they take long naps in the sun, and can even be considered crepuscular to a degree. Their dark upper carapace is good at absorbing heat, and their thick exoskeleton is good at retaining it. Mottlebacks usually live around anywhere from 10 to 25 years.