Xero Information

Created: 16 September 2022, 22:02:57 EDT
Last updated: 10 March 2025, 20:30:36 EDT

X-1118A Experimental Rebuilt Organism


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Species: Xero

Xero Database

Origin
Exoplanet X-1118A

Diet
Omnivorous

Height
4 feet average

Weight
50lbs - 80lbs average

Lifespan
Estimated 200 years

Overview

A Xero is a genetically engineered organism created by ARC Laboratories from the XNA of extinct animals recovered from Exoplanet X-1118A.


Biology

Xeros are tetrapodal endothermic vertebrates that strongly resemble early mammaliaformes. They are also hermaphroditic and lack distinctive sexes. Xeros are also unique in that they display dramatic phenotypic plasticity, that is, the ability to change their traits in response to external stimuli.

 

Morphology


Xeros are endothermic vertebrates that strongly resemble early mammaliaformes. Like mammals, they have four limbs, padded paws, tails, claws, teeth, and are covered in fine, soft fur. However, they also have many differences from mammals. All Xeros are hermaphrodites and lack distinctive sexes; each individual has the same internal reproductive parts, including their pouches and the ability to both produce and fertilize eggs. Xeros are also unique in that they display dramatic phenotypic plasticity, that is, the ability to change their traits in response to external stimuli.

 

Xeros are a medium-sized species with a long, tube-shaped body plan, similar to a mustelid. Their large heads are almost disproportionate to their lithe bodies, but are balanced out by their stocky forepaws and hind limbs. Standard Xero characteristics include large, forward facing eyes and nostrils, ovular ears positioned on the sides of their heads, thick tails that taper to a pointed tip, forked tongues, pouches, and small claws.

The average Xero is about 4 feet tall (122 cm) when standing upright. The many Xero subspecies vary in size, and some may be larger or smaller than this average. While many Xeros are slim due to their high metabolism and tube-shaped body, they can still display many other body types, such as chubby or muscular.

Xeros have adjusted well to Alurizan society, and their wide hind paws allow them excellent balance for walking upright. When standing bipedally they adopt a plantigrade stance, meaning they stand with their entire foot touching the ground. Xeros are equally well adapted to stand on two legs or four, and many may choose to walk on all four, especially when moving quickly. When standing quadrupedally they stand with a digitigrade stance, meaning they stand on their toes with their heel lifted off the ground.


Xeros are very intelligent and resourceful, with excellent senses. Their sense of smell is particularly strong; their large, open nostrils are packed with olfactory receptors, and they use their forked tongues in combination with the vomeronasal organ at the roof of their mouths to sense which direction a scent is coming from. They make exceptional trackers!

Xeros are incredibly adaptable creatures that come in a variety of subtypes to fit different habitats. They are able to withstand extreme environments low in oxygen; they can survive in space or underwater without protective gear for a short amount of time. They can go without breathing for about 10 minutes! 

All Xeros have hands with three fingers and a thumb, and feet with only three toes; they will never have more fingers or toes than this. They also always have claws; their claws are very shiny and just slightly translucent. Xeros are also excellent climbers; their paw pads are covered in microscopic setae which interact with surfaces on a molecular level - allowing them to stick to almost any surface.

Stellar radiation, mutation risk, sparse food sources, and other such extremes needed to have some sort of biological mechanism in response for how would they have existed on planet X-1118A as long as they did. While the modern Xero does not have to survive these conditions, their biology is still shaped by those past adaptations.

The skeleton of the Xero, and while not too different from most vertebrates, does have some special features. Notably, the color of the bones; a higher level of boron and tungsten in the mineral structure gives it a higher resistance to ionizing radiation and its dark coloration. The connective tissues attribute their color to the Xero's natural vascular tissue color (resulting from an iron-based blood coupled with a more opaque plasma) - the magenta color swatch demonstrates their natural blood color.

 

Phenotype

Xeros have 3 important color categories: Primary Fur Color, Countershading, and Skin Color.

These can be any color of the rainbow, but there are some rules they usually follow.

Primary Fur Color

The primary fur color can be considered the Xero's 'base color', this color is seen on the majority of the Xero's body or at least the areas surrounding the countershading.

Because the gaps in their XNA are filled with genetic information from other animals, Xeros can come in any color of the rainbow.

Countershading

Countershading refers to the lighter color seen on a Xero's underside. This marking served as important camouflage in the Xero's natural environment as it does for many animals.

The countershading must be lighter than and visible against the primary fur color, unless the Xero has a pigment mutation.

Skin Color

Bare skin is visible inside a Xero's ears, their paw pads, nostrils, tongue, and inner pouch. Some Xeros display additional areas of hairlessness. The skin color should be consistent in each area unless the Xero displays a very rare mutation.

Skin colors follow the above guide unless the Xero is aposematic or bioluminescent.

Countershading (Continued)



Countershading refers to the "belly marking" that most Xeros have. This fascinating fur pattern is a real phenomenon on Owai-6, Earth, and apparently planet X-1118A too! The area where countershading is required is outlined in red in the examples above. Countershading must cover approximately 80% of this area. Head and tail are not included in countershading but it is common for them to have similar light markings. Xeros may express certain mutations that affect their countershading.

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Learn More About Xero Traits



 

Creation & Lifecycle



Xeros are genetically engineered organisms created by ARC Laboratories from the XNA of extinct animals recovered from Exoplanet X-1118A. Project Xero is an effort to restore the species, understand the unique physiology of these creatures, and further advance genetic technology for all of Aluriza. This planet had suffered catastrophic damage, causing a complete mass extinction of most major life upon it. This happened due to the planet’s failing magnetosphere; its protective shield against solar winds. As the atmosphere began to dissipate, the surface was bathed in intense radiation obliterating all but the most hardy of its life. The expedition found the remains of very unusual creatures, and research began to study the planet and learn more about what the creatures who survived those conditions for so long were like.

Eventually, enough of the extinct species’ XNA was sequenced to create what we now know as X.E.R.O.’s: X-1118A Experimental Rebuilt Organisms. Small gaps in the XNA sequence are filled with the XNA of compatible animals; a resource that AREZ is known for from their 'frozen zoo' genetic library, collected from animals of every shape and kind throughout the galaxy.

Xeros are incredible feats of scientific creation that are furthering research and technology in so many fields throughout all of AREZ.


Initial Creation

ARC’s goal is eventually to create a stable breeding population so that Xeros can become a viable species again, free to exist and live their lives in AREZ (or outside of it) as they please. Scientists want to ensure there's enough genetic diversity amongst Xeros to avoid creating genetic bottleneck; just taking a few of the successful Xeros and cloning them endlessly would eventually lead to the same type of long, slow extinction they suffered before.

Several expeditions have been sent to planet X-1118A, to collect whatever information that can be salvaged. From there, it's sent to the lab and the scientists use various computer models to figure out where the degradation in that particular individual’s XNA sequences are to fill in the gaps with compatible genetic code. As can be seen from the Xero Database, there is a huge variety of successful and unique expressions of their XNA!

When a scientist determines a stable genetic sequence for a new Xero, it is then manufactured as an embryo with that pattern and inserted into a ready ORB. This ORB contains all the necessary nutrients and fluids to mimic the sterile internal environment of a natural Xero egg and help facilitate healthy growth. The special shell is clear on the top to allow scientific observation & ensure proper development of the Xero.

The ARC Lab is able to produce roughly 30 Xero ORBs at a time, which are kept in groups of 6 per drawer in a 5-drawered incubator. The ORBs sit within a socket that monitors their status, ID number, and other important information, displaying it on the front of the drawer.

Early Development
Because Xeros are similar to marsupials and spend the first part of their life protected in their parent’s pouch, their eggs are small and develop quickly from the time they are laid to the time they hatch, and hatchlings are born altricial, very underdeveloped and helpless. The process of development within an ORB takes about one moon cycle from start to finish. New hatchlings are then transitioned to an artificial pouch, essentially a nutrient bag that feeds them, shelters them, and insulates them while they continue to grow and develop under the attention of special caretakers for the next two sun cycles.
Childhood & Education
From the age of 2 to 10 sun cycles, young Xeros attend special education and development programs within a wing of the ARC, and they have plenty of staff that are well-versed and invested in learning about and contributing to the early development of Xeros. It is also not uncommon to see adult Xeros working here, helping to raise the next generations of Xeros since they cannot yet reproduce themselves. These programs, much like any school, help Xeros learn about topics such as language, science, math, history, art, and basic knowledge about the planet and society they reside in. 
 
Young Xeros also receive education on Project Xero itself, and they learn from a young age what they are, where they come from, and how their project and their lives fit into the greater AREZ whole.
 
Their upbringing is of course, not purely educational; young Xeros are also allowed to just have fun and be children. The Xero wing of the ARC hosts comfortable dormitories with beds, desks, and storage for personal belongings. They are given plenty of time to play, explore, create, imagine, make friends, and grow. Field trips to other areas of Owai-6 for fun and educational activities are frequent.
Sponsorship & Beyond
At age 10, each Xero enters the Sponsor Program and is adopted into the home of an Alurizan Citizen. There are of course parameters in place to ensure the Xero will be in a loving, attentive household where they will receive the proper care they need to finish growing. Once adopted, young Xeros will continue with school and grow up like any other child finding their place and experiencing life with their new family in AREZ. 
 
Xeros are considered to be legal adults by age 25, able to seek out the life they want to live. Whether that includes continued living with family or friends, finding a place all of their own, entering a prestigious job position, exploring alien planets, opening their own bakery, or just chilling on the beach vibing every day, each Xero can choose their own life and the civilization of AREZ is able to support them.
 
Xeros are anticipated to live around 200 years, but since Project Xero has only been ongoing for 30 years, their exact lifespan is still unknown.

 

Behavior


Since Xeros were restored from an extinct species, little is known about their natural behavior or culture. In an effort to learn more about them and their adjustment into Alurizan society, ARC has been sending out monthly surveys to volunteers. While the surveys have proven incredibly insightful, there is still much to learn about the Reserve's newest members.



Social Behavior

Xeros are a highly social species, with most individuals preferring to live with or near other Xeros or other sapients. Xeros form strong bonds and physical touch/closeness is extremely important to them. It's common to see Xeros in pairs or even groups grooming each other, cuddling, holding paws or entwining tails, etc. Their most common trait, antennae, was thought to serve as a sense organ to help Xeros navigate, but it is now speculated to also be a form of intraspecies communication, as Xeros displaying this trait can often be seen touching them together, strengthening their bonds.


Feeding Behavior

Due to their very high metabolism caused by the noodle-shaped body, Xeros tend to need a lot of calories and eat frequently. Portable/resealable snacks and high-calorie nutrient shake/slushies are a common sight as Xeros roam around AREZ.


Sleeping Behavior

Due to the above mentioned high metabolism, when Xeros sleep they enter a "torpor" state, where their metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate drop to conserve energy. This results in a very heavy, dead sleep. Because of this, any Xero that has responsibilities that need to be tended to at specific times (jobs, pets, etc.) will need a very powerful alarm to ensure they get up. Sleep disorders in Xeros can be particularly dangerous as this torpor state is important for conserving their energy overnight.

 

Size & Subspecies

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Standard Xeros are generally around 4 feet (or 122 cm) tall.

Desert Xeros are the smallest at 2.75 to 3 feet (84-91 cm) tall.

Tundra Xeros are the largest at 5.75-6 feet (175-183 cm) tall.

Hollow Xeros range between 3.75-4 feet (114-122 cm) tall.

Marine Xeros range between 4.25-4.5 feet (130-137 cm) tall.

Savannah Xeros range between 4.75-5 feet (145-152 cm) tall.

Jungle Xeros range between 3.5-3.75 feet (107-114 cm) tall.

Woodland Xeros range between 4.25-4.5 feet (130-137 cm) long.

 


Desert

Tundra

Hollow

Marine

Savannah

Jungle

Woodland