On this dusty, hot planet it's important to filter the air and stay cool. The sand runners do this with elongated snouts that have nostrils lined with hair like filaments that filter the air, long legs that keep them well above the hot sand and perhaps their most unusual feature, air sacs. These air sacs are thin membranes that inflate when the creature is running, causing air to flow thru them and cooling the blood vessels that are close to the surface. They have two main defenses against predators. One is running away, using the extra tendons in their legs and their wide feet to help them with speed and the other is to semi-bury themselves in the sand, not only keeping cool this way, but also looking like a small mound of sand. (256 days ago)
they look like tail less ostriches , nice story also Reply »
(255 days ago)
Howdie stranger!
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Wonderful work and story
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(256 days ago)