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Description
We found this pudgy thing in the leaf litter at Base Cliff. It made only a token effort to get away, suggesting that it might rely on other means to defend itself – namely poison. Its color would camouflage it well on some parts of Earth but here, there’s nothing subtle about it. Its feet are bright blue. It makes a surprising amount of noise when it walks over dry leaves. The gills on its back undulate in an eye-catching way while in motion, possibly helping to oxygenate the capillaries when the animal needs it the most. Little else is known, as we did not collect this specimen for study. Priority goes to dead or sick animals, and plants. Only in special cases will we need to kill. More on that later. (Alex O'Hearn, biologist, Odyssey I)

About hexapede thoracostomes
A single mutation caused all of the ancestor’s offspring to develop only six out of fourteen legs. Amazingly, this deformity did not affect organ function and the lineage grew into one of the most adaptable animal groups on the planet. Due to their ability to concentrate toxins, microbes, and pigments in their skin, some species can be quite colorful.

Media: Sculpey, paint, and natural materials (pine cone). This was a quick temporary sculpture made for these photos. The pine cone eventually opened up and the feet popped off, and that was that.

Description
We found this pudgy thing in the leaf litter at Base Cliff. It made only a token effort to get away, suggesting that it might rely on other means to defend itself – namely poison. Its color would camouflage it well on some parts of Earth but here, there’s nothing subtle about it. Its feet are bright blue. It makes a surprising amount of noise when it walks over dry leaves. The gills on its back undulate in an eye-catching way while in motion, possibly helping to oxygenate the capillaries when the animal needs it the most. Little else is known, as we did not collect this specimen for study. Priority goes to dead or sick animals, and plants. Only in special cases will we need to kill. More on that later. (Alex O'Hearn, biologist, Odyssey I)

About hexapede thoracostomes
A single mutation caused all of the ancestor’s offspring to develop only six out of fourteen legs. Amazingly, this deformity did not affect organ function and the lineage grew into one of the most adaptable animal groups on the planet. Due to their ability to concentrate toxins, microbes, and pigments in their skin, some species can be quite colorful.

Media: Sculpey, paint, and natural materials (pine cone). This was a quick temporary sculpture made for these photos. The pine cone eventually opened up and the feet popped off, and that was that.