Department Of Defensive Operations (DODO) File.
Wildlife of the Snugglay Islands
0002: Scorpohamster
Phylum: ArthroChorda
Habitat
Scorpohamster is found only on the Hebridean islands of Great and Little Snugglay, off the West Coast of Scotland. There are two large colonies, one on the slopes of Ben Snore, the central hill of Great Snugglay, the other on Little Snugglay's Ben Slumber. The animals live in communal burrows beneath the long grass and heather, where they huddle for warmth and protection.
Characteristics
The soft, furry bodies of these shy, inoffensive creatures are well defended by the crusted, black, venomous tail. Adult scorpohamsters are typically 6 cm (4 inches) in length, while the tail can easily reach 15 cm (10 inches) fully extended. The tail is carried rolled in a tight coil, but scorpohamster can unroll and extend it rapidly, and can whip it with great speed and extreme accuracy in all directions, facilitating delivery of venom with deadly precision. Supplies of an antidote to the venom are maintained at the DODO clinic on Great Snugglay, and at the Oban Infirmary.
Scorpohamster is found only on the Hebridean islands of Great and Little Snugglay, off the West Coast of Scotland. There are two large colonies, one on the slopes of Ben Snore, the central hill of Great Snugglay, the other on Little Snugglay's Ben Slumber. The animals live in communal burrows beneath the long grass and heather, where they huddle for warmth and protection.
Characteristics
The soft, furry bodies of these shy, inoffensive creatures are well defended by the crusted, black, venomous tail. Adult scorpohamsters are typically 6 cm (4 inches) in length, while the tail can easily reach 15 cm (10 inches) fully extended. The tail is carried rolled in a tight coil, but scorpohamster can unroll and extend it rapidly, and can whip it with great speed and extreme accuracy in all directions, facilitating delivery of venom with deadly precision. Supplies of an antidote to the venom are maintained at the DODO clinic on Great Snugglay, and at the Oban Infirmary.
Diet
Scorpohamsters enjoy nuts and berries, supplemented by worms and grubs. They are particularly fond of the crunchy Rokroaches that colonize the Snugglay beaches, and will leave the safety of their covered burrows in pursuit of this delicacy.
Behavior
Scorpohamsters are unaggressive, and have few enemies, save for the Snugglays' top predator, the Reagle. One sting from the tail of an adult Scorpohamster can easily kill a Reagle, and encounters between the two species, though fortunately uncommon, are dramatic.
Babies are defenceless, with tails that are soft and white, and do not emerge from the burrows until the tail begins to darken and develop its crusty exterior shell. The adults huddle around the infants in groups until they are almost fully grown with acceptable tail control. During the months of July and August, adolescent Scorpohamsters may be dangerous to humans, since they like to play in the long grass and can deliver a lethal sting if stepped on. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Reproduction
Babies are born in April, emerge from the burrows in May and June, and are fully grown by September.
Status
Like all newly discovered species of the Snugglays, Scorpohamster is protected, and removal of these creatures, or disruption of their habitat, is strictly forbidden.
Scorpohamsters enjoy nuts and berries, supplemented by worms and grubs. They are particularly fond of the crunchy Rokroaches that colonize the Snugglay beaches, and will leave the safety of their covered burrows in pursuit of this delicacy.
Behavior
Scorpohamsters are unaggressive, and have few enemies, save for the Snugglays' top predator, the Reagle. One sting from the tail of an adult Scorpohamster can easily kill a Reagle, and encounters between the two species, though fortunately uncommon, are dramatic.
Babies are defenceless, with tails that are soft and white, and do not emerge from the burrows until the tail begins to darken and develop its crusty exterior shell. The adults huddle around the infants in groups until they are almost fully grown with acceptable tail control. During the months of July and August, adolescent Scorpohamsters may be dangerous to humans, since they like to play in the long grass and can deliver a lethal sting if stepped on. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Reproduction
Babies are born in April, emerge from the burrows in May and June, and are fully grown by September.
Status
Like all newly discovered species of the Snugglays, Scorpohamster is protected, and removal of these creatures, or disruption of their habitat, is strictly forbidden.
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