Creature:Quillspring

Quillsprings are herbivorous, deer-sized aliens of the genus Dorsostachys. They are one of the most ubiquitous herbivores on the planet, and reside in nearly all manner of environments, from plains to arid scrub, to woodlands and mountains. The common and scientific names reference the set of stalks, or "quills", located on the back of the creature. These "quills" generate electric currents as a defense and a navigation tool. The species shown on this page's infobox is the Painted Quillspring, Dorsostachys obvius.

Physiology
Quillsprings are small, about the size of red deer. They have three legs, two positioned on the posterior, and one on the anterior. They walk with an awkward gait, alternately moving each hind leg as the foreleg remains grounded. They have a long neck, ending in a head housing sensory organs such as ears and eyes, as well as a modified stalk for navigation in the dark. This organ functions through the process of electronavigation. In a manner similar to the echolocation of bats and dolphins, Quillsprings emit weak fields of electricity from specialized muscle cells in this organ, then detect disruptions in the electric current to determine the location of nearby objects. Another set of three to six stalks, located on the creature's back, release a much more powerful electric current, capable of stunning predators significantly larger than the Quillspring. These quills are the creature's primary defense strategy, in addition to its speed. Some species, however, such as the Mountain Quillspring, have lost this defense altogether, instead favoring speed and size.

The unusually vivid coloration of some Quillspring species is a subject of much curiosity, as it doesn't appear to serve a purpose, and in fact, would normally be expected to be a hindrance to the Quillspring's survival in its dull, highly contrasting environment. One theory is that the bright coloration is a form of aposematism, or "warning coloration". The Quillspring's bold appearance warns predators of the creature's powerful electric defense, similar to the vivid colors of many of Earth's venomous animals, such as the monarch butterfly.

Behavior
Quillsprings are extremely shy, and solitary in nature. When encountered by a predator, they will stand their ground and begin releasing short bursts of relatively weak electricity to discourage the assailant. If this doesn't work, they will charge at the foe and release the full burst of their bioelectric potential, then leave the stunned predator and flee to safety. After discharging in this manner, the Quillspring must recover for several hours before being able to do it once more. Thus, they prefer to flee first if possible.

Being territorial animals, Quillsprings often use the carnivore-like claws on their feet to scrape conspicuous holes in tree trunks or on the ground, coupled with a liquid from glands in their feet. The liquid is transparent, but visible in the infrared spectrum, which it is thought that Quillsprings are sensitive to. They do this to mark their territory.

In-game description
Painted Quillspring: ''The shy Quillspring is common within woodlands, and comes in a multitude of species, all of which bear 3—6 fleshy stalks on their backs. These "quills" generate electric currents as a defense against predators, and function as electroreceptors in the dark.''

Tags: triped, electrogenic, blue, herbivore, woodland

Mountain Quillspring: Though small among its kin, and unable to generate defensive electric fields, the Mountain Quillspring is fast and can dart between rocks quickly, as well as turn on a dime.

Tags: triped, black, herbivore, woodland

Taxonomy

 * Kingdom: Unnamed
 * Phylum: Arthroskeleta
 * Subphylum: Tripoda
 * Class: Monopropoda
 * Order: ---
 * Family: ---
 * Genus: Dorsostachys (a.k.a. Flytdais, 2008)

List of species

 * Dorsostachys montis (Mountain Quillspring)
 * D. obvius (Painted Quillspring)