Bunlotl

Introduction

The Bunlotl is a mysterious creature. Manipulated in a lab, mixed with various species and partially released into a green environment to see how they’d manage in the wild.

“To everyone’s great surprise the Bunlotl is the most social and loveable animal to ever exist. Not only towards humans, but also to others of its kind. This is my research to these amazing animals and my findings. There is a lot about them that’s still unknown, but this will certainly give an impression on how amazing these creatures are.” – Misaki Moonwing

The egg

Let’s start at the very beginning: this being the egg. A Bunlotl can lay 3 to 5 eggs each time. An egg takes 20 days to hatch, which the Bunlotl can do in two different ways: in the water, or on dry soil.

In water

In the wild: The eggs are laid in shallow waters. When possible camouflaged by plants against predators. The sun shining on the water is enough warmth to let the embryos develop. The membrane of the egg remains soft and the fluid inside takes a blue color. The embryo takes a milky white color with blue spots from the developing organs. The baby Bunlotl hatches from the egg by nipping at the membrane until it breaks. The membrane is then consumed by the baby.

In captivity it’s suffice to leave the egg in an 11 liters freshwater aquarium.

On dry soil

In the wild: By a lack of available water the Bunlotl places her eggs on a soft, but dry soil. She then creates a nest in the middle of the group with whatever soft materials she can find, among which dirt, and puts the eggs in there. The eggs dry out because of the sun and dry air, but the membrane hardens to the state of glass. The fluid inside of the egg will turn blue here as well, and the embryo turns a milky white color with blue spots where it’s organs are developing. The baby Bunlotl hatches from the egg with the help of the mini-gem on its forehead and will drink the fluid that’s left over in the egg’s shell.

In captivity a soft surface like a pillow or a folded towel will suffice. Make sure the egg can’t roll off or damage in any way.

Baby phase

A baby Bunlotl starts it’s life with a standard, milky white color. Just like it’s embryo phase. It will later develop its own color that matches its surroundings. In the wild the most common colors are blue and earthy colors which blend in with murky water or tall grass.

In its first few days the head will grow, giving them a chibi-like, non-proportional size. The gem on their forehead will remain round until the baby has grown into adulthood.
After that the back legs start growing, allowing them to maintain balance a little better, but are also used to jump and run away from danger. Lastly the body will start to grow and the tail with develop fully, making the Bunlotl an amazing swimmer. 

At the same time the rabbit-like ears will grow to the right size. Despite having 6 ears they have an amazing hearing, and can communicate with each other flawlessly. They also use their ears for other purposes. When the Bunlotl can’t reach a nut or berry they jump and move their ears so fast they can fly short distances and levitate. Something they can maintain for up to 30 seconds.

Now the baby is ready for its final phase: the social part.

Gems

IDuring the final days of its baby phase the Bunlotl also develops it’s characteristics, which are determinative for how the gem will develop.

The breed lives in groups, in which the characteristics develop in a natural, but really unique way. The baby Bunlotl develops it’s characteristics depending on the needs of the group. If for example a baby Bunlotl detects the group needs more leadership, a trillion gem will develop. This happens both in the wild and in captivity.

In captivity the Bunlotl explores it’s environment first. The Bunlotl will also focus more on the person it communicates with the most. When it becomes clear to the baby what it’s buddy needs the most, the last development phase starts and the gem starts to change.

If the group exists out of multiple people and/or multiple Bunlotl, the human(s) will be seen as members of the Bunlotl group and will take the role that’s needed for the group at that time. A Bunlotl will keep the role it takes when reaching adulthood for the rest of its lifetime.

Heart

I’m here for you when you feel unwanted and alone.

Hexagon

I’m here for you when you feel dull and conventional.

Navette

I’m here for you when you feel chased and anxious.

Shield

I’m here for you when you feel unsafe and suppressed.

Trillion

I’m here for you when you feel timid and insecure.

When there is a lack of communication the Bunlotl will take the role to protect itself and survive. When the Bunlotl feels alone it will search for another group to increase its chances of survival and to fulfill its goal within a group.

Bunlotl that no longer have or didn’t find a group their role fits with segregate and will lose their gem eventually, also losing the communication with others of their species. On the spot where the gem once was, something else will grow instead.

Special cases

A young girl locked her Bunlotl in a room with a unicorn theme for an extended period of time. The Bunlotl felt lonely because the girl didn’t show interest in the poor creature, but there was no option to find another group. The gem came loose, and a small horn started to grow in its place.
Ever since the girl has developed an interest in the Bunlotl, and everything worked out between the two. Another story is the finding of a white Bunlotl with a ghost-like skin, and a third eye on the spot where the gem once was.

How this has happened is unexplainable at this time, and research is being conducted.

Communication

The communication between the creatures goes through the gem, regardless of the size and shape, but how this works exactly is still a mystery. Ultra small soundwaves have been detected coming from the gems on their forehead, so it is speculated that the soundwaves are the way of communication, but we do suspect that these creatures have evolved even further and make use of telepathy. Research is still being conducted.

Communication with other creatures that don’t belong to their own kind is done through a small beep and swallow noises they’re able to produce. The tone, length and pattern of the squeaking shows their mood and what they need. They also really love music, and are happy to sing along in their own way.

Nutrition

Compared to an axolotl and a rabbit, the Bunlotl has a relatively small mouth without any teeth, which is a bit of a downside. This is why it stuffs whatever fits food wise in there. Luckily the Bunlotl has two different saliva glands, one with enzymes and one with acid. When the food is placed in the mouth the Bunlotl will make a chewing motion, stimulating both glands and causing the acid and enzymes to break down the food partially already. It moves it’s good around the mouth with its tongue, making a kneading motion. Because of this it gets soft and small enough to swallow.

Favorite snacks (in the wild) are: Berries, nuts and small fish.

Feces

The feces are wet, long granules with puddles of moisture. Since the Bunlotl only has one exit, all waste fluids are exerted at the same time. It’s recommended for Bunlotl that are kept in captivity to learn them to make use of a litter box at an early age.