Traits

Eating a certain berry can trigger the skin of a Xero to build new amino structures, mimicking the microscopic elements present in the jewel berry and presenting a metallic like sheen similar in refractive performance. This rare mutation gives Xeros the dazzle trait; shiny, metallic, or glittery flesh, presenting itself on the insides of their ears, tongue, paw pads, and pouch. It can also sometimes give them glittery or shiny markings in their fur!

Spines are a somewhat uncommon trait for a Xero to have; these keratinous protrusions are hard, shiny, and slightly translucent, just like the Xero's claws. Spines can be many different shapes and lengths, and can be present on the body of a Xero. Spines are often found on the back, tail, cheeks, or nose, as well as other places such as the back of the limbs. They cannot be placed on the forehead area of a Xero, see the Horns trait instead.

Braving the acidic Sugar Drop allows a Xero to stain their teeth any color they desire! The enamel-stained color can also be as subtle or vivid as the Xero wants. Curiously, the Sugar Drop dyes every tooth in the consumer's mouth. This means that the Xero must commit to the same color on each of their teeth and may not mismatch colors. Go all in!

Diaphonization is a bizarre mutation in which the skin of the affected area contains no melanoctyes, rendering it semi-translucent to visible light. Organs, veins, and muscles, having the same refraction index, would also appear transparent, but bones, being a denser tissue, remain visible.

Although the effect is fascinating, Xeros with any amount of diaphonization cannot grow fur in those areas and thus their skin is extra sensitive to UV light; nothing a bit of sunscreen can't fix though!

Xero Bone Structure Reference

An adaptation for moving swiftly on wide-open grasslands. These hooves are rounded, modified claws whose purpose is to protect the Xeros feet from rocks and difficult terrain while running. Since these hooves can see some extra wear and tear it is recommended to clean them out daily.

Gills are respiratory organs that are located on the neck or rib area and allow the Xero to breathe underwater. A Xero with this trait has both a set of gills and a set of lungs and can “turn off” function for one or the other depending on their body state.

Gill-having Xeros who spend a lot of time outside of the water are recommended to find ways to rehydrate often to avoid drying out the area.

Warning: this is still highly experimental, results my vary.

Jungle Xeros can be mixotrophs, that is, they can grow plant structures to photosynthesize! This includes things such as small leaves and flowers, which can be located anywhere on the Xero's body. This also helps them blend in with their leafy surroundings. A single plant may not exceed 25% of the Xero's body size.

Jungle Xeros can have patagia - that is, loose flaps of skin connecting from each wrist to hip. These patagia allow the Xeros to glide short distances, such as from tree to tree, or slow their fall like a parachute. Much like the patagia of a flying squirrel, they are extended with the aid of specialized wrist bones and the loose skin can fold up against the body when not in use.

Antennae are the most common trait displayed by Xeros. These sensitive feelers enhance a Xero's senses and help them navigate in difficult environments. The antennae can be many different lengths, and can be present on the head, back, tail, or on the cheeks like "whiskers".

It is very rare to see a Xero with slimy skin. Xeros with this trait have extra slimy skin, coated with protective mucus. The slime only affects areas of visible skin, such as their inner ears, paw pads, and tongue. This trait could be combined with the Hairless trait to have slimy skin on other areas of the body.

Saber fangs are a very rare mutation to see on a Xero. These long canines protrude much further from the Xero's mouth than is normal for their species. This can give them a rather intimidating appearance!

How did that happen?! Xeros aren't normally supposed to have more than two arms, two legs, two ears, two eyes, and one tail, but this mutation is anything but normal. By using a Glitch Vial on a Xero that has the "Glitched" status, you can add one extra pair of something normally found in pairs (such as an extra pair of ears or an extra pair of arms) or one of something normally only found once, like one extra tail. To add more, you will have to use more glitch vials! Please see below for important trait information.

Marine Xeros can have fins of any sort on various parts of their bodies. Fins can include whale-like dorsal fins and flukes, shark or fish-like tails, or any other sort of webbed fin. Fins can be located on their backs, tails, backs of their limbs, or even in place of their ears, if also given the Marine Ear trait.

Some Xeros may have retractable claws; however this is a not a common adaptation. These claws are slightly more pointy than the standard Xero claws, but are otherwise exactly the same when not retracted inside. When not in use, they just show up as simple slits on the paws, sometimes hidden by the fur. 

If a Xero gains the Savannah Hooves trait while having Retractable Claws already present on the Xero, the limbs that turn into hooves will lose retractable claws. However, if the hooves are ever removed on a redesign, the user is always allowed to "bring back" their Retractable Claws on their Xero.

Bioluminescence is a very rare trait sometimes observed on Xeros. Chemical reactions within the cells of these Xero's skin produce a vibrant glow that they can control at will; however, the original function of this adaptation is currently unknown. Xeros that are bioluminescent feature some or all of their soft tissues that can glow! Xeros with this trait may also have very saturated, neon-colored skin.

Horns are a rare trait for a Xero to have; these keratin-covered bones grow in pairs from the top of the Xero's head. Much like the antennae, horns can be many different shapes and lengths. Horns can only be found in symmetrical pairs and only on the top of the Xero's head; for keratinous growths on other areas of the Xero's body, see the Spines trait.