shorttaillongtail

Shorttaillongtail is a fictional species of small arboreal mammal described in speculative biology. It is endemic to the evergreen forests of the fictional Verdaria Archipelago, where it occupies mid- to upper-canopy layers.

The animal measures roughly 14–17 cm in body length, with a tail of 28–38 cm. It has dense, soft fur ranging from gray-brown to reddish-brown and a pale underbelly. Although the name suggests a short tail, the tail is unusually long and prehensile, aiding balance and maneuvering through branches; the name derives from early field notes that misrecorded measurements.

The Shorttaillongtail is diurnal and highly arboreal, foraging for fruits, seeds, buds, and occasional insects in mixed-species canopies. It nests in hollow limbs or abandoned hollows lined with leaves and is generally solitary outside the breeding season, though small foraging groups may form.

Breeding occurs once a year, with litters of 1–3 offspring. Gestation lasts about 38–42 days, and young become independent after 3–4 months.

Taxonomically, the species is placed in the family Sciuridae, order Rodentia, within speculative biology literature. The etymology reflects historical records that led to the name.

In this fictional account, populations are described as locally abundant but vulnerable to habitat loss from deforestation and climate change in the Verdaria archipelago.