Common Tridont

The common tridont (Tridontes tridontes) is a small-bodied, rodent-like tridont archothere native to Verticala. The common tridont is a common prey item of many xenotheropods, diordoscapulids, and other carnivorous fauna. They generally reach a maximum length of 1 foot long, but individuals double or triple this size are not unheard of.

Common tridonts are also called dolerats or simply Eloniosan rats, the dolerat name coming from the male's low, dull "dol dol dol" call.

Common tridonts mate year-round. Females give birth to about 10 or so offspring at a time, which within 6 months are sexually mature. The rodent-like animals generally live a maximum of 10 years in the wild, and up to 20 in captivity. It should be noted that tridonts, unlike Earth rodents, have several features which make them better at defending themselves than Terran rodents. One is their namesake, their 3 large teeth which form a "beak". Said teeth are very strong, and connected to some of the strongest jaws on all of Elonios. While most vertebrates have surprisingly weak bites, tridonts have bony processes that come off of their jawbones and function as attachment points for very powerful bites, which allow them to crunch through shells of both invertebrate prey and nuts, seeds or whatever tough things need to get bitten.

Another feature is their long, dinosaur-like legs, which allow them to run and jump at very high speeds, allowing them to evade most predators.