Kyergkemb
A large and variable clade, the kyergkemb (/kjergkemb/, lit. “thousand palms”) are found in temperate and tropical environments across the globe. They're primarily but not exclusively arboreal, and generally require wooded environments, although some species are satisfied with scattered trees in a grassy plain. While temperate species tend to stay modest in size, some tropical species can grow very large. Some people keep large species as pets, but they're usually kept as show pieces, not out of love.
Not only are kyergkemb not liked, in many areas they are even despised. They're curious and investigative animals, and tend to explore with their many, many hands. Many a dragon has been suddenly grabbed by a kyergkemb curious to see if this bright thing was a fruit to eat. Not to mention how impossible it is to keep them out of food storage, with with slinky bodies and dozens of fully functional hands.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Fully grown kyergkemb somewhat resemble a cross between a centipede and a monkey. Their long slinky bodies count many pairs of legs, each ending in monkey-like hands. They're mostly covered in chitin plates, but grow thick edges of fur along it, and most will have either bare skin or light fur covering on the parts of their bodies without chitin. As adults they're vertebrates, with a spinal cord and internal skeleton to which muscles attach. They're highly flexible, and can ball themselves up with ease.
Juvenile kyergkemb, like all dolshkas, are invertebrates. Though they have chitin plating like their adult forms, they lack the solidity, and are much softer to the touch. They're thick and squiggly, much more like a grub or a worm than a centipede.
Growth Rate & Stages
Like all dolshkas, kyergkemb are born as invertebrates. They're among the many who undergo metamorphosis to take on their fully grown adult forms, becoming vertebrates in the process.
Once a juvenile kyergkemb reaches their target weight, they will undergo metamorphosis, an arduous process in which they must completely rebuild their bodies to become vertebrates, relying on their internal skeleton instead of the exoskeleton they had before.
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
Kyergkemb intelligence varies per species, with smaller species generally less intelligent than larger species, but it's not a hard rule. Overall, they're surprisingly intelligent animals, and very capable problem solvers. Unfortunately, their intelligence combined with their many hands make them quite a menace to keep out of your things.
Average Length
Ranged from 15cm (small species) up to 2+ meters (large species). Averages in the 30-60cm range.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Variable, but typically dull (black, brown, gray), sometimes with brighter accents
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