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The Elephantine Hexaped is a gigantic species native to the planet of Xeno, regarded as the largest species of Hexaped, and the largest terrestrial creature in the planet's history. Due to this size, its kind was hardly affected by the introduced animals by the Xenians.

Taxonomy[]

This giant species of Hexaped is solely named after one of the largest known terrestrial Mammels found on planet Earth: The Elephant.

This species of Hexaped, while naturally large beforehand, developed into such a colossal size thanks in part due to the Xeno Mass Extinction 50 million years ago. The species was once widespread along the continents of Xeno, but as millions of years go by, the species declined into extinction due to climate change recovering, evolving into smaller species as a result.

Biology[]

Anatomy[]

The Elephantine Hexaped is a colossal creature, its size rivaling the size of the largest known species of Sauropods. Weight over 100 tons, the sturdy body is supported by three pairs of large, sturdy legs spread to the sides of the body, hence the name. Its feet are lined with numerous toes sprawled out to spread its immense weight: five toes on the first two sets of feet, and the back feet having a total of six toes on each foot. The back, along with parts of the head are covered in plating, protecting the creature from super-predators.

The head may appear to be the rounded area on the tip of the head, but in fact the entire neck of this creature IS the head: the actual neck of this Hexaped being extremely short. The frontal form of the creature isn't made up of bone, but instead by muscle tissue. Its mouth is located at the bottom of the neck, elongated into a proboscis, as the eyes are located on the very top on the "head".

Behavior[]

Being so large, Elephantine Hexapeds hold little fear towards other creatures, introduced or otherwise, though they themselves are fairly peaceful towards other creatures, some species adapting to live alongside these giants. Fully grown adults only have super-predators to potentially worry about, and even then, the chances of a successful hunt on them are relatively rare. The Elephantine Hexaped becomes fully grown after 25 years, prior to then being potential targets to other smaller predators.

Reproduction[]

Much like Sauropods on Earth, Elephantine Hexapeds lay clusters of eggs within open areas. Numerous females gather in these nesting sites, and each female lays a cluster of 30 eggs at maximum. The eggs themselves are the size of a football, and fairly soft as they're laid in such a humid environment. The eggs themselves take several months to hatch, and upon hatching the offspring are left to their own survival. 60% of all offspring born die within their first year of life.

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