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Creature Bios
Wide Billed
Lilac Buzzard The
Wide Billed Lilac Buzzard makes its home in the Rakiura National Park on New Zealand’s Stewart Island. A collar of vibrant
and Brightly colored spotted feathers surround the long green necks of these small, yet dangerous birds. Their talons are
very strong and extremely sharp, making them adept at tearing into the flesh of their prey. Despite a wingspan of up to three
feet, these flightless meat-eaters prefer to spread their wings only when courting, or during displays of aggression. They
are terrific tree climbers, however, and lightning fast sprinters on the ground. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the
Lilac Buzzard is its overwhelming stench. Described as something like a mix of rotten eggs and citrus, the local natives used
to cover their faces with crude masks that they filled with fistfuls of pressed lilacs, which helped to counteract the overpowering
smell these birds generate. Locals also refer to the Lilac Buzzard as the Zip Bird because of the sound that is made when
these birds pass gas, which is uncommonly frequent. Deep Sea Octopus (Bathypolypus Arcticus) Fishermen tell tales of encounters
with inhabitants from the deep as a result of catching them in their nets, or especially because of violent storms which can
bring bottom dwelling species nearer to the surface. One such creature was washed onto the deck of a fishing trawler in the
Bay of Fundy just off Nova Scotia. This little fellow clung to the wheel of the vessel as the waves kept washing over the
boat as a result of a sudden nor-easter. When the seas calmed, this bathypolpus Arcticus, or Deep Sea Octopus, remained as
a permanent fixture. Pygmy Shag The Yellow Crowned Pygmy Shag is a member of the Cormorant Species and is found mostly in Paraguay. This bird is
best known for its eggs because they change color during incubation. Fresh laid eggs are light yellow or orange in color and
gradually darken to a deep red or burgundy just before they hatch. Alpine Ibex The Alpine Ibex – or commonly called by its German or Dutch
name, the Steinbock’s habitat is the rocky, steep terrain of the European Alps at elevations of 15,000 feet. The Steinbock
has, for a long time, been regarded as a mystical animal; almost all of its body parts and its excrement were sought after
as cures for various illnesses and as ingredients for magical potions. As a result of very extensive hunting, the Steinbock
was almost extinct as early as the beginning of the 19th century. Thanks to the efforts of a small group of foresters, the
last remaining animals in Gran paradise were protected in 1816. In 1854, Victor Emmanuel II of Italy placed the animals under
his personal custody. Today, after extensive and ongoing reintroduction programs, the population in the wild is estimated
at about 30,000. Chiptak The Chiptak was thought to be a mythical character created and celebrated by some Tibetan monks. Images of this creature
have been found etched into the walls of caves in and around the Hindu Kush mountain range of the Himalayas. Recently, however,
during one of the warmest summers in recorded history, the snow melt that resulted exposed the remains of many animals including
the skull of what is believed to be an actual Chiptak. Thought to be a forbearer of the common Jerboa, legend has it that
if a Chiptak was present in the monastery, peace and long life were assured for the monks who resided there. Channa or Fishzilla Channa are predatory fish distinguished
by their long dorsal fins, large mouths and big teeth. Also known as Fishzilla, they are a family of freshwater fish native
to Africa and Asia, but are now also found in some states in the U.S. Fishzilla can live out of water for up to four days
and have been known to "walk" on land with their fins long distances between bodies of water.Known as a thrust predator,
they will eat their prey all at once, striking and ingesting it whole. Fishzilla are aggressive and feed on other fish, frogs,
lizards, small mammals and candy. Ice yak Often heard, but rarely seen, and only in the late spring
and early summer, throughout the upper reaches of the highest peaks of the Tibetan mountains, is the extremely illusive Yellow
Bearded Spike Yak. Although they share the same territory and family history, there is little else this colorful and illusive
creature has in common with its distant cousin. With his distinctive bright blue skin, the male is easily distinguished from
the female who sports a brilliant red hue, which is why each is commonly referred to as either a Fire Yak or an Ice Yak. These
animals, despite their ferocious set of teeth, are very docile, and according to the fortunate few who have gotten close enough
to find out, are said to be somewhat ticklish. Perhaps that is why the sound they make is not unlike that of hyena. Over the
last half century with the intrusion of western explorers, Spike Yaks have developed a taste for alcohol and preferably Irish
whiskey. Traveling in small herds or in packs of three or four, the exact size of the Spike Yak population is unknown, but
by all accounts seems to be on the rise. Blue Mud Scratchcer The
Blue Mud Scratcher is a smallish semi aquatic herbivore and sole member of the family Myoladisashreu. Originally native
to temperate South America, it has since been introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, and finally New Zealand’s Rakiura National Park. Although valued for its long dreadlock like ringlets,
it’s destructive feeding and burrowing behaviors make it a pest throughout most of it’s habitat. When frightened
the “Scratcher” emits a high-pitched squeal similar in sound to an ill-fated American Idol contestant attempting
to recreate the super high note in Minnie Ripperton’s “Loving you is easy because you’re beautiful"
Durian
Dog
With
its horns, beard, huge ears and teeth, the Durian Dog looks more like a goat than a member of the canine family. In fact,
it is more closely related to the African Zebra, although there is no scientific evidence or explanation as to how such a
distant relative came to be. A small population resides on the island of Borneo, and thrive almost exclusively on Durian. Congobongo
The Blue Faced Congobongo is a subspecies of its better known red or yellow faced cousins.
Found in Ghana, Nigeria, the Sudan and the Congo, these pint-sized cousins of the African warthog are powerful diggers,
capable jumpers and fast runners. Do not be fooled by their size, for as their primary defense is to flee,
these dangerous little omnivores are known to suddenly charge without warning and cause serious injury with their
teeth and tusks. Despite poor eyesight, Congobongos have an excellent sense of smell which they use for
detecting predators and locating food. Their diet is restricted only by what is available.
They eat anything and everything, and their appetites are matched only by their
sexual activity. Look Took Ticky Tock The Look Took Ticky Tock is the
thief of the bird species. This very distant cousin to the Tucan is constantly taking objects from other
animals’ nests and from people’s campsites and villages. In the time it takes to announce that
it has been seen, chances are it has already taken whatever prize it desired, and has made off with its loot.
These colorfully feathered bandits make a popping noise with their tongues and the roof of their mouth, and a clicking
noise when closing their beaks. They make each sound intermittently thus creating the “tick tock”
sound of a clock. Since the Look Took’s diet is made up primarily of bugs and insects, the sandwich
meats, cookies and assorted snack foods they are notorious for making off with seem to be taken merely for the sport of it.
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