REP: The Snallymauks

The snallymauks are a small group among the tetrapterids that also has the biggest flying pneumonoptere species among their ranks. The four species are distributed across the globe, travelling over oceans and feeding on sea life which they catch in flight with their long lips. Snallymauks are mostly gliders with long narrow wings and they rarely land, except for courtship and breeding; an exception is the island snallymauk that doesn't move far away from the islands it rests on during night. Another typical trait of this group is a patch of iridescent hair on their heads, which has a distinctive shape for every species and is used to attract mates. The genders are identical in size and appearance and live in monogamous relationships. They mate only every second to third year and raise one to four young for a time span of 6-8 months. The secondary "wings" are a trait shared by all members of the tetrapterids that evolved from a split-off part of the actual wings and are mostly used for additional surface and steering. They contain the same sponge-like tissue like the actual wings, which is connected to airsacs inside the body instead of having a direct connection to the wings.