Tputket

The tputket are a small, semi-aquatic mammal described in the world-building material of Eldoria. They are notable for a row of bioluminescent plates along the shoulders and back, which emit a blue-green glow and are used in social signaling and mating displays in their dim marsh habitat.

Physical description: Adult tputket measure about 25 to 35 cm in length with a short, dense coat of grey-brown fur. They possess a broad, paddle-like tail and short limbs adapted for wading and foraging in shallow water. The luminescent plates vary in size among individuals and brighten with excitement or alarm.

Distribution and habitat: Tputket are native to the marshes, reed beds, and mangrove fringes of the Verdant Delta in Eldoria. They prefer still or slow-moving freshwater habitats and wetlands with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Behavior and ecology: They are primarily nocturnal and live in small family groups. Diet consists of grasses, submerged plants, and tender aquatic shoots, with occasional consumption of invertebrates. Communication combines quiet chirps, body postures, and shifting light from the plates. They are territorial during the breeding season but otherwise show moderate social tolerance within groups.

Reproduction: Breeding occurs seasonally in late spring to early summer. Gestation lasts roughly 60 to 70 days, with typically one or two offspring per litter. Fledging and weaning occur over the following two to four months.

Cultural significance and conservation: In Eldorian folklore, tputket are considered guardians of marsh paths, and their glow is thought to guide travelers. In-world conservation notes list them as Common to Least Concern within their range, though habitat degradation could impact local populations.

Etymology: The name combines Verdant-era roots tput meaning glow and ket as a diminutive suffix, reflecting their small size and luminous appearance.