Creature:Rafanoid

The Rafanoids are the sentient beings that inhabit the world of Rafane. They evolved from the large fish Opidia, which ruled the seas. Their evolution into sapient beings spanned over a period of six and a half billion years.

Sea Life
Before the Opidiae evolved into Rafanoids, they ruled the seas. Residing at the top of the food chain, their features were superior to any underwater dweller. Opidiae had long "flagellum-like" appendages which let them attack with great speed. Spanning from their thick bodies were long fins that enabled fast turns underwater. Unlike most fish, their jaws consisted of several bones. This allowed the Opidiae to eat a more varied diet. With large ears, they could perceive the waters more clearly.

Emerging From the Sea
After about two billion years, the Opidiae began to develop feet on their "flagellum-like" appendages and the fins began to take the shape of fingers as the bases stretched out. They developed lungs and became amphibious. Their ears got larger and thicker. In their evolutionary history, the Rafanoids were now called Aphitoids. During this time, their body color was maroon. Scientists think that the Aphitoids crawled rather than using their newly grown feet. Because of this, their feet hardened (from rubbing against the coarse sand).

With their inability to consume fruit, the Aphitoids immediately took to preying on somewhat small creatures. They sustained themselves in their new environment. Over the course of 200,000,000 years, the Aphitoids began to have their spines erect. Their ears grew even larger, and claws developed on their feet.