Stranga Sciuro is a flight-capable species with a curious—and sometimes destructive—nature. Opportunistic tree-dwellers, these creatures will make their home in any high-placed hollow they can find, whether a natural tree hole or an artificial vent on the outpost’s outer walls. They feed on nuts and berries. Their natural hoarding tendencies can lead to piles of nuts building up in their nest, which draws the attention of other Stranga Sciuros. Fights over food and mating opportunities are common and usually take place aerially. The bioluminescent markings on their wings and tail help prevent opponents—and predators—from accurately judging their movements. Because they can interfere with automated vent operations, wild Stranga Sciuros are considered low-level pests. Inside the laboratory, their behavior remains lively and adaptable, making them a relatively easy species to handle.

The creatures that dwell in this rather desolate world still display some diversity in appearance, eating habits, and social behavior. Whether they have fur or feathers, skin or scales, their unique genetic makeup allows for a variety of colors and markings within each species. Despite limitations in food sources, herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores are all present in the food chain, and each species requires specialized care within a laboratory. Although the artificial setting of housing units and breeding pods precludes most opportunities to study true interspecific behavior, the interactions within and between species has been studied extensively in the wilderness by scientists daring enough to venture beyond the outpost’s walls.

Creature Notes

• I will be honest, little Frith is a bit of a terror. He's inherited his mother's resolve and his father's problem-solving skills and applied them to opening...everything. All the time. It's a nightmare.
• So, to keep Frith occupied and to prevent a repeat of the Great Escape Incident that we will pretend never happened...I've created a series of escape rooms for Frith to keep him occupied.
• The escape rooms are a success so far and my colleagues are both interested in the results I haven't been actively tracking and glad that my lab is secure once more.