Hedgesucker
Re-evolving its membranes for swimming, the Hedgesucker has taken on a more parasitic lifestyle compared to its relatives. To take on this new lifestyle, they have shrunk to nearly a fourth of their original size. Their claws are better adapted for grabbing onto surfaces for this, also. The spines covering their body have shrunk in size, and are larger in females for defensive purposes. Remaining on the topic of its body, its skin can change its brightness to help blend in with its surroundings. Their plating has also expands its area in order to help with defense. Onto their head, 'whiskers' have begun extending from its chemoreceptors. Its mouth has become mostly bald, with only teeth at the end used for various things. Some limitations when it comes to its diet come in the form of the size of an individual, and defenses like toxins and a hard shell that can't be winded through.
Lifestyle and feeding
Once hatching, young Hedgesuckers lack the membrane and strong claws seen in adults, and instead have a more benthic life, feeding on whatever dead matter they can find. Once reaching 10 days of age, it will enter its final growths stage before entering adulthood, in which its instincts switch, the majority of its teeth fall out and the mouth changes drastically, and the membrane fully form. Adults will wait extended periods of time for a host to approach. They sometimes begin wandering in hopes of finding an easier host, such as a Crystal Gazebo. Once an individual finds a host, they will latch onto and area where soft bits are exposed, before inserting their mouth. They then release enzymes as to not cause pain or distress in its host, along with one's that get blood flowing so it may feed on it. Most blood circulates through their system and back into its host just fine, while about 25% of blood consumed in a sitting (0.5 days) is actually broken down to be used. When an individual senses another nearby, it will detach and follow the sent, before examining each other. This is to decide if they are worthy mates, and will not show any interest in each other if they appear the same (meaning that they are the same gender). Though, if both individuals appear different, they will initiate in courtship, impregnating the other, which will lay their eggs in a small burrow.