Day 22-Tell us about notable Flora and Fauna.
"I've had more than my fair share of encounters with dangerous wildlife and perilous plants while living on my own all those years ago.
Even so, I am by no means an authority on the subject. You know who is? Ensign Salar, a Xenobiologist in Prosperity's venerable Science Department. One might even say he is 'passionate' about the subject."
"You are attempting to make a humorous comment at my expense. I do not appreciate your teasing attitude regarding my emotional disposition. *Lets out...a sigh?* Nonetheless, I am deeply fascinated by animals, plants, and how they develop and fit into a planet's ecosystem. Therefore, I shall assist you in giving this informative address about the creatures and vegetation we have catalogued in the Tango Super Sector.
You 'owe me one' as the Humans say."
Thaldrisil - Andorian Blue Barley
Originating on the Andorian homeworld of Epsilon Indii VIII A, more commonly known as Andoria or simply Andor, this light blue colored grain is common across the farmlands of the planet, both North and South of the equatorial regions.
Known as Thaldrisil in the Andorian language of Graalen, the grain is a vital component in the production of Andorian Ale, a major export of the Andorians in this area of space. While the Thaldrisil was brought to Mozinphar's World from Andor, it has thrived in the remarkably similar climate and soil.
The Creatures of Dinom II
(Season 8, Episode 10 'Across he Bright Face')
For a very hot and dry planet, not unlike my native Vulcan, Dinom II has a very diverse selection of animal life. What makes Dinom II's biodiversity even more intriguing is that the world is tidally locked, meaning one side is constantly being bombarded by the rays of its relatively close sun.
All of the animal life on the planet seems to include features similar to sauropods and/or theropods and mammal. This is in addition to whatever other categories it's biological make-up may place it in. For example, a number of creatures seem to incorporate a degree of arthropod-like DNA even though they are clearly not traditional arthropods. Even the avian Crueldactyl or 'Bloody Axe Beaked Flyer' is more closely related to flying mammals and reptiles than it is any sort of bird.
Serving in Starfleet has taught me that category distinctions are often...complicated.
Some of the more notable species encountered by the Command Crew include (Left to Right):
Animal Biodiversity on Dinom II
Caesordorsalis or 'Armored Head Slasher': A massive creature with heavily armored backplates, elbow 'spur' talons, and a pair of hard ridged bones on either side of its head that it can use to both cut down prey or deflect incoming attacks to its face and head. The creature's armor is so tough it can ignore a Type II Phaser set for Stun and the slasher ridges on either side of its head can withstand the 'Heavy Stun' setting.
Laceruda or 'Scorpion Tailed Pincer Lizard': a vicious and fast moving predator with pincher claw forelimbs and a poison stinger equipped tail. It can close distance in record breaking time for similar lifeforms but it is an ambush predator, saving up its energy for the eventual charge and sting. Consider it similar to an Earth Cheetah crossed with an Zaranite Dune Springer.
Crueldactyl or 'Bloody Axe Beak Flyer': a flying predator/scavenger with a rather cunning and effective means of hunting and eating prey. The creatures will flying down from the sky, strike a prey animal in the hind quarters or legs if possible, and then wait until the victim follows behind its pack. They then circle overhead and once the creature dies of blood loss, heatstroke, or even starvation, the horde of them descend upon the carcass to consume it. They travel in groups of three to a dozen individuals of varying ages and sizes. A group of them has been dubbed a 'horde'.
Mantigris or 'MantisTiger Lizard': Also called the 'Scythe Mantis Cat', this is the second fastest moving creature on Dinom, right behind the Scorpion Tailed Pincher. In fact, this animal has a considerably faster response time to outside stimuli and can strike almost twice as quickly at close range. The Pincer Lizard is faster is a dedicated run/chase.
Tonivacca or 'Desert Thundercow': This herbivorous animal feeds on 'Succulent Moss' and similar plants that grow near and in the few watering holes on Dinom. When the entire herd of 10-12 beasts has had a sufficient amount of hydration and food, no more and no less, they instinctively migrate to the next body of 'fresh' water. Most herds follow a seemingly nomadic route that has been passed on to the next generation for centuries, changing only when environmental challenges mandate it.
These are the main prey of the Crueldactyls and Armored Head Slashers and we wondered, 'how have they survived such vicious and powerful predators?'. For one thing, they are extremely tough, like most lifeforms on Dinom II, with remarkable levels of endurance and resistance to physical damage. They are also capable of creating two different sounds that intimidate and confuse predators. One is an incredibly loud, rumbling bellow. The other is the heavy footsteps of the herd in motion. When the Thundercow runs from an attacker the very ground below them shakes and the air is filled with a thunderous pounding [, hence their name].
The Great Wetland Cephalopod of Yed Prior
(Season 8, Episode 3 'Dinner and a Show')
Forced to participate in gladitorial combat in the 'Arena of Yed' by the planet's robot custodians, the world's stranded inhabitants and eventually the Prosperity's Command Crew had to face such dangerous opponents as the Great Wetland Cephalopod.
A species of large cephalopod dwelling in the massive, unusually deep, tropical swamps of Yed Prior I's Southern Hemisphere. A type of algae or mossy grass grows on the creature, forming a symbiotic relationship that keeps the animal's skin moist while its on land. In exchange, the cephalopod moves the algae into more sunlight or nutrient rich waters and providing other benefits thanks to its mobility.
The creatures are carnivorous, with a vertical mouth behind an outer rim of flesh consisting of its front tentacles. The sharp, sometimes jagged 'teeth' along the creature's tentacles are actually chitinous hooks for grasping, holding, and tearing at prey. Because the base of the forward limbs surround the mouth, these hooks are indeed used as teeth, in a fashion, slicing up what it consumes into pieces small enough to be crushed by the muscles of its inner jaw.
The Great Cephalopod is able to travel on land quickly, if clumsily, using its tentacles and the twin-taloned claws at the end of some of them (others have a single claw). Its aquatic movement combines the use of its tentacles with carefully released discharges of stored water and air.
"Thank you so much for your help Salar and I apologize for teasing you. Please don't be mad."
"I appreciate...Mad? Are you...joking again?"
Well, here we are at the 28th of February and I am by no means finished with the Campaign Tour Challenge. I am way behind on yet another Challenge, only this one is mine. I made it myself and I'm still behind. Good grief.
I'm going to finish it. I am honestly having too much fun doing this to stop now. My slow down was due to Real LifeTM stuff, not a lack of interest or enthusiasm. Please stick with me until the end.
Thanks.
AD
Barking Alien
It is with great sadness that I acknowledge the passing of Robert 'Rob' Grant, the British Comedy Writer and Television Producer best known as one of two Co-Creators of the English Sci-Fi TV Series 'Red Dwarf'.
Mr. Grant passed away suddenly on Wednesday, February 25th, at the age of 70.
A huge Red Dwarf fan, I am sorry for this loss to his family, friends, fans, and the entertainment industry.