Gealls

Gealls are small, herbivorous mammals that inhabit the temperate forest zones of the planet Zyrel. They are typically 12 to 18 centimeters in length and weigh between 0.4 and 0.6 kilograms. Their bodies are covered with dense, dark fur that provides camouflage against the forest floor. Their most distinctive feature is a cluster of translucent, bioluminescent glands located along the dorsal side of their tail. These glands emit a soft blue glow, which Gealls use for communication and territorial marking.

Gealls are often mistaken for the more common Velocians because of their similar body shape; however, the absence of Velocian eyelashes and the presence of a bifurcated skull set them apart. Their diet consists mainly of mosses, lichens, and fallen fruit, and they play an important role in the ecosystem as seed dispersers. They are solitary creatures but frequently gather in small groups during the breeding season, which occurs once each hot season from May to July.

Predators of Gealls include the night‑prowler Lythrax and the tree‑climbing Canar. The Gealla tearing method, a hunting technique where the predator tugs on the glowing glands causing a distraction, has been documented in several natural history studies. Despite their small size, Gealls exhibit a surprisingly complex vocal repertoire, including a series of high-pitched chirps and low rumbling sounds.

Conservation status: The International Zryre Federation lists Gealls as a species of least concern, though localized habitat fragmentation and climate change pose potential long‑term risks.