Noctithere

Noctitheres are the apex predator on the continent of Barlowe. Their diet is heavily reliant on large prey, though they will occasionally snag small kills such as sentrok, as well. They are adapted for more of an ambush lifestyle, which lessens the risk of becoming exhausted after having to chase down prey. They also possess short sabre teeth, which are used to pierce the joints of large prey. This is more effective than it would be for a terran smilodon, because these “teeth” are just sharp protrusions of the upper jaw.

Their entirely nocturnal lifestyle gives them an edge in hunting, due to its prey mostly relying on sight and smell. Their front eyes are highly developed, with large, slit-shaped pupils for pinpointing movement in the dark of night. They have an exceptional ability to camouflage in their nighttime environment due to their black coloration. What seems at first to be two ears on the top of the head couldn’t be further from the truth, as these sensory organs are actually short antennae. These antennae can be swiveled about to pick up scents from any direction, making it easier to follow its prey using scent alone.

Noctitheres are smarter than their ancestors (and their prey), being able to make more careful decisions about how and where to strike. They are also monogamous, choosing one partner to mate with for life. Mating pairs stay near each other most of the time, sometimes even hunting cooperatively. Despite this social behavior, they do not care for their offspring directly. However, similarly to the mitted gnaw, they do let the babies eat their kill until they are large enough to fend for themselves. This does not take very long, as noctithere cubs start out very well developed, and a mother will only care for two offspring at a time.

Their middle limbs are now vestigial, as their ability to haul around small carcasses stopped being very useful. They are stiff, permanently tucked under the chest segment and unable to move. They still have some strength to their base, as losing one of these limbs could cause major bleeding.