On the planet Rogue, the frost bun (Lepulima glacies) can be found tethered on the icy surface, spending most of its life motionless. It anchors itself with keratin-like hooks that grip the frozen surface, while it feeds through a partnership with chlorophyll-producing bacteria that cluster at the tips of its scaled exoskeleton.
Instead of foraging or hunting, the frost bun uses its large, muscle-like limb only to shift position and follow the sunās path. Predators tend to avoid it due to its foul smell and taste.
During daylight, the frost bun pumps the symbiotic bacteria through vessels just beneath its thick outer shell, positioning them to absorb sunlight. Once the bacteria are full, or when light fades, it draws nutrients directly from them. Its blood also absorbs surface warmth during this time. When temperatures fall below zero, a special internal organ near its core heats the blood to protect its vital systems.
To reproduce, the frost bun releases spores through ducts located behind each scale. It waits for winds of the right speed and temperature before launching them into the air. The spores fertilize mid-flight and drift to new patches of ice. There, they remain dormant until conditions become favorable. While many fail, some manage to awaken, extend their first exoskeletal plates, release the stored bacteria into their bloodstream, and begin the same cycle of warmth and nutrient gathering.
This entry was made by Slogokonnor99