Hylotls are a species of amphibioid humanoids. Once more itchyoid in nature, they evolved a more anthropomorphic shape and amphibious tendencies, in order to populate both land and ocean. Due to their amphibious nature, they are ectotherms (cold-blooded), so they tend to stick to tropical planets and will occasionally bask in the sun to regulate their internal temperature.
Hylotls are born as eggs the approximate diameter of a tennis ball, later metamorphosing into larvae (often called tadpoles by other species) with small nubs where their limbs will later develop and grow.
![[IMG]](https://i.imgur.com/SuoQVNH.png)
After this early development period, the larvae outgrows its gelatinous covering as its legs, arms, and head begin to form. When the newborn is fully formed, the now "toddler" is covered in its egg capsule, forming a protective layer against dehydration and temperature. This gelatinous covering is absorbed by the Hylotl's skin later in its lifespan, often in conjunction with the Hylotl's adolescence. Hylotl generally are required to spend time in water to re-hydrate, with older Hylotl requiring much more time than younger ones. Infants are able to spend much more time out of water due to their gelatinous covering. The tail which originates from the larval stages remains until the Hylotl reaches sexual maturity, where the tail is deemed unnecessary by the body and reabsorbed through apoptosis (selective cell destruction).
There are Hylotls who keep their tail through their life, but these generally come with stunted growth, both physically and mentally, and generally not being "accepted as adults".
Hylotl usually reach sexual maturity at around 15. Hylotls lay eggs, usually around 3 to 16 in a spawn. Because of this, child neglect in Hylotl society is very common, and orphanages are some of the most well-funded facilities. Their reproductive systems and overall body shape are effective analogues of the human reproductive system and skeletal structure with similar male/female dimorphism. Hylotl females have nipple-less breasts, internally comprised of fat deposits. This gives Hylotl females a larger store of energy to preserve themselves. The purpose for this could have arisen from early Hylotl males viewing females with extra fat deposits as being healthier and more capable of having offspring that would make it to adulthood. As Hylotl began to interact with other species, namely the Humans and Apex, a trend arose in female Hylotl who were interested in romantic relationships with these species. They started seeking out cosmetic surgery to both accent the usually smaller breast fat stores to enlarge them, and the addition of a "nipple", grafted on as a piece of stem skin cells. Functionally useless, but increasingly popular in recent years among the more socially liberal Hylotl.
Hylotl often keep their gills throughout their life, closing them when they exit the water and then breathing through their lungs through the use of an organ similar to the epiglottis, allowing them to breathe both in and out of fresh water, saltwater, however, becomes fatal for a Hylotl to respire in minutes. (Along with talking clearly underwater, a mystery not even the Hylotl know the answer to). Some recent generations have evolved to rid the gills, due to the mass migration from aquatic habitats to land. Hylotls come in many different colors, fin types, and shapes. Some Hylotls have features which distance them from regular Hylotl, creating many different subspecies. Their multiple eyes gives them an enhanced depth perception when compared to humans.
Hylotl are omnivores with an emphasis on mostly vegetarian eating habits, with their diets primarily consisting of plants, vegetables, and fruit. Hylotl born with more amphibious traits have a diet consisting more so of coralcreep, reefpods, kelp (commonly eaten like seaweed), and flora which is usually found on many ocean planets. However, due to their cultural expansions, Hylotl have become more knowledgeable in the culinary arts, creating an expansive food culture spanning a variety of different cuisines.