Flyeater
A close relative of the anteater, the flyeater is an adaptable long-tongued mammal that feeds almost exclusively on the sunfly. Unlike most anteater species the flyeater has large, flexible ears that are used for temperature regulation and communicative display.
There are several species of flyeater known throughout Demrefor. In most territories, they are thought of as interesting and beautiful creatures, though some may see them more as a pest or food source. The majority of flyeater species are brightly coloured and vivid, with gold, white, and iridescent-black pelt, though there is a species of flyeater in Heck’ne that is known to be duller, with a simple bronze colour to its pelt.
To feed, flyeaters use their long, clawed hands to disturb sunfly nests and breeding grounds and then lift their heads to the sky and flick out their long tongues to catch the flies that fill the air. When sunflies are unavailable the wild flyeater may temporarily adapt their diet to feed on other insects such as ants, termites, and crickets. Meanwhile, when in captivity, their diet may be substituted with meat, eggs, or powdered insect proteins due to the difficulty of farming and harvesting sunflies.
Because of their bright colours and tendency to turn their heads to the sky while feeding, Animon religion has adopted them as a symbol of sun worship. Some older Animon texts refer to flyeaters as “sun-lickers,” though this appears to have fallen out of fashion over the years.
Their popularity with Animon has lead to several domestic species of flyeaters being bred, and they are not uncommon as pets.