The Lily-Walkers
Erythrogampa
This is the only species in the family that has
bright red legs, whereas most others have
gray or yellowish. They hunt the lily fields
for fish, crayfish, shrimp and snails. The
long, thick tail acts like a balancing pole
while the head and neck dart into the water
after fish.
This is the only species in the family that has
bright red legs, whereas most others have
gray or yellowish. They hunt the lily fields
for fish, crayfish, shrimp and snails. The
long, thick tail acts like a balancing pole
while the head and neck dart into the water
after fish.
Monada
This animal has the skinniest tail in the family, but has
less need for extra balance. They do not hunt fish, but
prefer slower prey. Crabs, crayfish and snails make up
the diet of this animal. They make good use of their
conical teeth when capturing their slippery prey. They
often use their feet to hold the prey down while tearing
it into bite-sized chunks.
This animal has the skinniest tail in the family, but has
less need for extra balance. They do not hunt fish, but
prefer slower prey. Crabs, crayfish and snails make up
the diet of this animal. They make good use of their
conical teeth when capturing their slippery prey. They
often use their feet to hold the prey down while tearing
it into bite-sized chunks.
Nesiamphus
This animal has long, thick fur. They live well among the
water lilies and hyacinths, and even fawn on these lilies.
A female can have up to 4 fawns in a litter. As she
moves through the plant forests, the fawns all tuck
themselves in a special brood-pouch, grab a nipple and
the mother's long, thick fur and hold tight, as she moves
freely through the plants. Usually all that is visible of the
fawns are the long toes dangling from the mother's belly.
This animal has long, thick fur. They live well among the
water lilies and hyacinths, and even fawn on these lilies.
A female can have up to 4 fawns in a litter. As she
moves through the plant forests, the fawns all tuck
themselves in a special brood-pouch, grab a nipple and
the mother's long, thick fur and hold tight, as she moves
freely through the plants. Usually all that is visible of the
fawns are the long toes dangling from the mother's belly.
Olodactylus
This is a creature not only of the lily fields, but also
of reed beds. These animals use their long, grasping
toes to perch on the reeds in a very bird-like
fashion. This is where they roost for the night. By
day they hunt the lily and hyacinth fields for fish,
shrimp and aquatic snails.
This is a creature not only of the lily fields, but also
of reed beds. These animals use their long, grasping
toes to perch on the reeds in a very bird-like
fashion. This is where they roost for the night. By
day they hunt the lily and hyacinth fields for fish,
shrimp and aquatic snails.
Xescophotus
This species is unique in the family in that it has
an almost totally bare head and neck and 4 small
wattles dangling from either corner of the lower
jaw. They hunt like other lily-walkers. But when
danger threatens they prefer to dive into the
water until they feel the danger passes.
This species is unique in the family in that it has
an almost totally bare head and neck and 4 small
wattles dangling from either corner of the lower
jaw. They hunt like other lily-walkers. But when
danger threatens they prefer to dive into the
water until they feel the danger passes.
Ziphidromas
This species has the longest muzzle in the
family. The nose is not flexible, but rather is
designed to dart into the water after fish with
little surface disturbance. The feet and thick tail
counterbalance these animals while performing
these tasks, and the coloration gives them
added camoflauge against land and air-based
predators.
This species has the longest muzzle in the
family. The nose is not flexible, but rather is
designed to dart into the water after fish with
little surface disturbance. The feet and thick tail
counterbalance these animals while performing
these tasks, and the coloration gives them
added camoflauge against land and air-based
predators.
| These are tiny, very light-weight mammals. The bone structure is made up of 80% air sacs and hollows. This makes these mammals much lighter for their size. The forearms are reduced to mere remnants of claws and are useless for anything. The feet have oversized toes tipped with suction-like webs. These aid the animals in walking over water plants on the surface. |