Species: Arbophobos mavrikaulos
Common Name: Mavri.
Size: More than 2 meters long.
Habitat: All of Isterna except for the Ankyranian desert. Also present on Oroland and eastern Vesterna.

While the Fuckers seen before have specialized to slash their victims open with their sword-like killing spikes, (hence the name, Xiphioclavida,) the Baroclavids have solidly built, piton-like spikes that are adapted to deal with larger and tougher prey. Although its name suggests a tree-living existence, Arbophobos is a very adaptable hunter that lives in all manner of habitats, from Pinnacle ranges to dry scrubland, forests, jungles and sprogland. It usually hunts medium-sized animals like Xenosuids, Pneumagazelles and the like, but unlike other predators in its area it will readily tackle giant herbivores like Allotaurs if given the chance. These deadly creatures usually go for the giants’ bulging front legs, humping viciously in an attempt to penetrate the powerful hydraulic muscles that lie buried under thick layers of gristle, fat and muscle. The highly pressurized hydraulic fluid bursts in a sickening spray once the muscle jacket is pierced, and the Allotaur’s front limb goes limp for good. After the prey is immobilized, Arbophobos has the choice between killing it outright or waiting until the fight is gone out of the titanic herbivore. Unlike many other Snaiadi animals, Arbophobos and other Baroclavid Fututoriformes have a dense covering of body “hair” instead of subcutaneous air bubbles to keep them warm. It is theorized that this group traded off the “bubble wrap” system in order to become more nimble and maneuverable in their predatory pursuits.

Arbophobos used to be far more common around the Neomediterranean, where human settlement is mostly concentrated in Snaiad. Unlike many of their Snaiadi counterparts, these predators seemed to have no fear of people and killed countless settlers in the early years of colonization. A three-decade-long long series of “Arbophobe Wars” were fought with sonic irritators, chemical repellants, extensive fencing and even viral sterilization programs. However, the smart, pack-hunting animals always found a way around the defenses and inflicted painful losses to human colonists. As a final solution, Arbophobos was purposefully hunted to extinction around human settlements. This was one of the few cases where an indigenous species was intentionally persecuted due to the great risks it posed to people.