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Description
Introducing the first predatory species on Isla, my speculative biology project.

This species wanders through the planet’s valleys, as well as canyon forests, searching for prey.
L. Voracea is a stalking predator, and relies on its superior tracking ability to find meals. Using an organ on its abdominal head, it’s emits long series of clicks, which ricochet off canyon walls and help it to locate other organisms. This ability is independently evolved, as closer relatives in the same family as Voracea do not have the same adaptation. When prey is found, the predator charges at it with a quick burst of speed and springs is two large ‘lances’ at the organism, impaling it. These lances, which are highly modified legs, are coated in a paralyzing venom. After the prey has been impaled on one or both of these organs, the lances retract, bringing the catch close enough to the abdomen that the creature’s mouths, once tucked away close to its body, can extend and rip away chunks of the carcass.

A common trend seen among megafauna of Isla is a change in locomotional directionality depending on the creature’s diet. Typically herbivorous organisms are more prone to multidirectional walking. Predatory animals however pursue prey in the direction of their mouths, which means they primarily walk with that end leading (in this case towards the left).

In addition to L. Voracea’s brutal hunting behavior, it also has interesting behaviors when attracting a mate. In the ever shadowed canyons of Isla, light is a valuable communication tool. Pictured above is a male, which are easily identified by the enlarged glowing ‘tail’ at the end of their body. This organ is used to attract females, and can reach different levels of brightness depending on the males mood, as well as his proximity to a potential mate. In the males, anterior eyes have been selected against in its evolutionary history, getting replaced by extra signaling tissues. In the female lineage however, anterior eyes are still present, and have become far more sensitive to light and color than the eyes on the creatures opposite end. This make them extra receptive to the male reproductive displays.

Questions and comments are welcome!

Description
Introducing the first predatory species on Isla, my speculative biology project.

This species wanders through the planet’s valleys, as well as canyon forests, searching for prey.
L. Voracea is a stalking predator, and relies on its superior tracking ability to find meals. Using an organ on its abdominal head, it’s emits long series of clicks, which ricochet off canyon walls and help it to locate other organisms. This ability is independently evolved, as closer relatives in the same family as Voracea do not have the same adaptation. When prey is found, the predator charges at it with a quick burst of speed and springs is two large ‘lances’ at the organism, impaling it. These lances, which are highly modified legs, are coated in a paralyzing venom. After the prey has been impaled on one or both of these organs, the lances retract, bringing the catch close enough to the abdomen that the creature’s mouths, once tucked away close to its body, can extend and rip away chunks of the carcass.

A common trend seen among megafauna of Isla is a change in locomotional directionality depending on the creature’s diet. Typically herbivorous organisms are more prone to multidirectional walking. Predatory animals however pursue prey in the direction of their mouths, which means they primarily walk with that end leading (in this case towards the left).

In addition to L. Voracea’s brutal hunting behavior, it also has interesting behaviors when attracting a mate. In the ever shadowed canyons of Isla, light is a valuable communication tool. Pictured above is a male, which are easily identified by the enlarged glowing ‘tail’ at the end of their body. This organ is used to attract females, and can reach different levels of brightness depending on the males mood, as well as his proximity to a potential mate. In the males, anterior eyes have been selected against in its evolutionary history, getting replaced by extra signaling tissues. In the female lineage however, anterior eyes are still present, and have become far more sensitive to light and color than the eyes on the creatures opposite end. This make them extra receptive to the male reproductive displays.

Questions and comments are welcome!