Ykalminos are small, bug-like creatures with two pairs of mandibles protruding from both their front and back sides. These mandibles serve a dual purpose. The front mandibles, easily recognized by their distinctive orange hairs, are used for chewing small rocks, which they find surprisingly delectable, as well as for digging out nests to house their families. The orange hairs on these front mandibles are highly sensitive to air vibrations, alerting the Ykalmino to nearby predators before they can get too close. The rear mandibles, on the other hand, are primarily used for defense. When threatened, the Ykalmino burrows its head into the rocks, using its back mandibles to fend off attackers. However, before resorting to combat, the Ykalmino will first rely on its ten legs to make a swift escape, sprinting into tiny crevices where it can either fight off the predator or remain hidden until the danger has passed. Ykalminos come in a variety of colors, with the most common being blue or red-tinted bodies. Interestingly, regardless of their body coloration, the hairs on their mandibles are always a striking orange.
Despite being one of the smallest
Estalons, standing at a mere
1 cm in height, Ykalminos show little fear toward smaller species of
Eldranes, such as
Human children or the
Kamuzih. They are most commonly found in mountainous terrain and rarely venture beyond those environments. The Ykalmino’s body is protected by a hard exoskeleton, with only the underside remaining vulnerable. The toughness of this shell is so extreme that Humans often compare biting into one to chewing on solid rock. Contrary to popular belief, Ykalminos do not have eyes hidden beneath their shell. Instead, they rely entirely on the orange hairs on their mandibles, which detect air vibrations and allow them to navigate their surroundings using a form of echolocation.
