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Description

Sphenicetus
Scientific name: Sphencetus clalexi
Other Names: none
Ancestor: Gentoo
Diet: Fish, seals
Habitat and range: South African, Patagonian, Antarctican Coastline, South Atlantic Ocean
From the smallest Marine Penguin, we move to the largest; the mighty Sphenicetus. The general trend in zoology is marine life tends to get quite big, and almost always larger than their terrestrial relatives. Whales are far bigger than their hippo and pig cousins, mosasaurs far surpassed snakes in size, and many ichthyosaurs rivaled even the mighty blue whale in size. So when penguins joined fish, dolphins, and ichthyosaurs in the niche of large marine hunters, it was expected that most species would surpass any flying or terrestrial bird. Indeed, the mighty Sphenicetus is larger than orca whales! These apex predators prey on larger fish, seals, and even some sharks! Their great beak is powerful enough to crack the shells of sea turtles, and the hooked point secures prey in their beak. Sphenicetus have a false-eye pattern behind their real eye as a distraction; better for desperate prey to attack a colorful spot than your eye. Sphenicetus (and all Delphinas), much like the Mastotherium, are a product of an unfortunate convergent evolution; whereas their Holocene counterparts are renowned for their intelligence, these Exocene beasts are dumb as shit. Unlike the Mastotherium, who isn't truly a stupid animal (just stupid when compared to elephants), the Delphinas (especially Sphenicetus) are shitbrained even when not compared to the brainy Cetaceans. As the Sphenicetus's discoverer whom it is named for describes them, "While science has proved time and time again with crows, ravens, parrots, and other fellows, birds are not necessarily 'birdbrained', and can be capable of remarkable feats of intelligence; however, the Delphinas are not one of those birds, and are hopelessly, unforgivably stupid as all fuck".

Description

Sphenicetus
Scientific name: Sphencetus clalexi
Other Names: none
Ancestor: Gentoo
Diet: Fish, seals
Habitat and range: South African, Patagonian, Antarctican Coastline, South Atlantic Ocean
From the smallest Marine Penguin, we move to the largest; the mighty Sphenicetus. The general trend in zoology is marine life tends to get quite big, and almost always larger than their terrestrial relatives. Whales are far bigger than their hippo and pig cousins, mosasaurs far surpassed snakes in size, and many ichthyosaurs rivaled even the mighty blue whale in size. So when penguins joined fish, dolphins, and ichthyosaurs in the niche of large marine hunters, it was expected that most species would surpass any flying or terrestrial bird. Indeed, the mighty Sphenicetus is larger than orca whales! These apex predators prey on larger fish, seals, and even some sharks! Their great beak is powerful enough to crack the shells of sea turtles, and the hooked point secures prey in their beak. Sphenicetus have a false-eye pattern behind their real eye as a distraction; better for desperate prey to attack a colorful spot than your eye. Sphenicetus (and all Delphinas), much like the Mastotherium, are a product of an unfortunate convergent evolution; whereas their Holocene counterparts are renowned for their intelligence, these Exocene beasts are dumb as shit. Unlike the Mastotherium, who isn't truly a stupid animal (just stupid when compared to elephants), the Delphinas (especially Sphenicetus) are shitbrained even when not compared to the brainy Cetaceans. As the Sphenicetus's discoverer whom it is named for describes them, "While science has proved time and time again with crows, ravens, parrots, and other fellows, birds are not necessarily 'birdbrained', and can be capable of remarkable feats of intelligence; however, the Delphinas are not one of those birds, and are hopelessly, unforgivably stupid as all fuck".