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Description
The common leech rat. Drawn for a creature competition hosted by ~AbelPhee . Didn't win oh well, it was fun to do anyway.
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The common leech rat is a scavenger that mostly feeds on rotting carrion. The bright red wattles growing from the males throat is actually a species of fungus called blood moss or fire moss. The fungus gets it distinct red from the blood that sustains it. As the male feeds on the inside of a carcass, the fungi is able to absorb any blood that runs down the leech rat's neck. These fungal wattles are usually kept short but during the mating season are allowed to grow and are used to attract females. Therefore the male that is most able to find and dominate food sources eats more, and does a better job sustaining the blood fungus it hosts. Females then choose the male with the biggest and brightest fungal wattles.
The common leach rat usually walks on all fours but runs on its hind legs when pursued by predators. If a leech rat is caught they ooze out a slime that is not only distasteful but, when combined with the leech rat's ability to twist it's body in almost any way, also allows the creature to squirm out of a predators grasp. This slime is also used when the males wrestle for dominance.
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Some people to thank: The font belongs to ~Jellyka at [link]
The hand was referenced from =lindowyn-stock at [link]
The skin texture was by *frozenstocks at [link]
The background paper texture was by =Ayelie-stock at [link]
As always comments/criticisms welcome!

Description
The common leech rat. Drawn for a creature competition hosted by ~AbelPhee . Didn't win oh well, it was fun to do anyway.
-----
The common leech rat is a scavenger that mostly feeds on rotting carrion. The bright red wattles growing from the males throat is actually a species of fungus called blood moss or fire moss. The fungus gets it distinct red from the blood that sustains it. As the male feeds on the inside of a carcass, the fungi is able to absorb any blood that runs down the leech rat's neck. These fungal wattles are usually kept short but during the mating season are allowed to grow and are used to attract females. Therefore the male that is most able to find and dominate food sources eats more, and does a better job sustaining the blood fungus it hosts. Females then choose the male with the biggest and brightest fungal wattles.
The common leach rat usually walks on all fours but runs on its hind legs when pursued by predators. If a leech rat is caught they ooze out a slime that is not only distasteful but, when combined with the leech rat's ability to twist it's body in almost any way, also allows the creature to squirm out of a predators grasp. This slime is also used when the males wrestle for dominance.
-------
Some people to thank: The font belongs to ~Jellyka at [link]
The hand was referenced from =lindowyn-stock at [link]
The skin texture was by *frozenstocks at [link]
The background paper texture was by =Ayelie-stock at [link]
As always comments/criticisms welcome!