False Hogtrok

As time progressed, the basal sentroks that ended up on the now densely-populated Glicker became sparser as they were slowly outcompeted by other species such as the crystaltrok. The remaining basal sentrok population adopted a new strategy. They mimic a far more deadly species: the hogtrok. Due to the poisonous nature of the hogtrok, their impostors flourished.

Eventually, the false hogtroks started to make their way northwards. While false hogtroks are not as predator-free in the north, they still do resemble the juveniles of the also dangerous red-footed clubhog. This was still enough to make predators think twice, with most instead choosing to feed on crystaltroks. With the combined pressures of competition from multiple species, less defense from predation, and a primitive immune system, the original population of sentroks in glicker have been outcompeted. They have gone extinct within the false hogtrok’s range.

Due to their mimicry of the hogtrok, the false hogtrok’s long beak is not as well-suited to break open tough crystal flora. As a result, they now prefer to eat purple flora. Hard crystal flora only make up a small percent of their diet, if any. They are now the dominant population control of purple flora on Glicker.

False hogtrok mating rituals no longer center around the eye patterns. Instead, both false hogtroks examine each other’s body patterns, most importantly the bright leg fins. If these colors are similar enough to the ideal body pattern (which, of course, has developed to be similar to that of a hogtrok), they will mate. On occasion, a false hogtrok will attempt to mate with a real hogtrok or vice versa, but this never results in a successful birth. This isn’t very common though, as false hogtroks are usually able to differentiate between themselves and actual hogtroks by looking at the spots on the sides. Most other species aren’t able to figure this out.