The flotsum, a shallows-dwelling aquatic animal descended from bipedal, horse-like stock. It has converged upon the shape and the ecology of a pinniped, with a hard, lip-derived bill lined with electroreceptors used to find sand-dwelling prey, though it may prey upon pelagic swimmers as well. Its former back limbs have been sculpted into a tail fluke, and its ears - once expressive and able to pick up sound from any corner - into fin-like rudders.



















