Schizocaudids

The schizocaudids are the second major group of Old World predators on Gossipiboma. Their unusual name is due to the fact that the posterior two pelvic prongs (caudal appendages) have become external and are used for things like supporting display "flags" or even secondary limbs along with the true tail. The ancestral schizocaudid was probably a small, long limbed creature with a short face and pointy teeth at the front and long, tendril-like "tails" at the back. This body plan is manifested today in the cats-of-five-tails, small arboreal creatures that effectively have 9 limbs along with their "tails".

Pavocanidae: These large (4-7 ft) predators are the cheetahs of Gossipiboma, able to top speeds of 60mph when pursuing prey. The five "tails" support a peacock-like fan-tail used for signaling that can be folded up and used as a rudder when running. The Viridian peadog, a species from southern Rakanshe, is among the fastest species, sporting a crimson tail that contrasts with the dull yellow ectoproctograss of the Viridian Plains.

Mycrohyaenidae: The skunk-turkeys and yi-nis are small scavenging schizocaudids with reduced true tails and elongated pelvic appendages used for courtship and threat displays. Most species possess extremely pungent anal glands used to deter predators, and the Quitchin skunk-turkey here is no exception. The bright pink warning colors are usually enough to deter experienced predators, but the animal doesn't hesitate to spray if provoked.

Terrichthyidae: The landfish and vimsniggies are small rotund and vicious animals that typically dwell in mountainous areas and forests, scavenging carcasses and cracking open bones with their strong jaws. Most species burrow into hillsides, and many form small, close-knit social units that work together to take down larger prey or wrest already-dead meat from larger predators.

Lycaenosauridae: The blitches are a group of large, bearlike predators that are generally more predatory than the other "bears" of Gossipiboma, the barofalcatosaurs. Blitches have disproportionately long arms used for tearing down larger tree tendrils both to eat and catch the animals living in them. The bearded blitch, shown here, is a large Tweecheson predator that shows the short pelvic prongs typical of the clade, which has adopted a terrestrial, ambling lifestyle.